Yeah.

Bikes and beer often go together so well... why? I don't know and this video doesn't help explain it either. But it does make a lot of sense.

Crack Kills.

Apparently there's a new trend in Sacramento, California nowadays. It looks like even cyclists can turn to the dark side of the force.

Apparently a Mr. Lance Brewer was riding his bike around one evening when a policeman stopped him for not having a light on his bike, and found that Mr. Brewer was in possession of some Vicodin. He was subjected to a strip search, and they found some more in his butt crack.

...His crack. Read the story here.

Just goes to show...you should always use a light at night.

Musical Motivation

It's amazing I remembered my password for this blog after several months of reading a.lo and Tom's posts and not contributing I am back, hopefully. A.lo and I started talking about the 2009 challenge and tossing some ideas around and I found the motivation to post up. The first race of the year happened yesterday as Kisscross and the Versluis family hosted Snowcross. I didn't make it to the race but I did make it to the after party of the after party so I guess my season has begun. It sure doesn't feel like the first big race is 3 months away! There is snow everywhere and it keeps getting deeper, riding on the roads is suicidal most days and offroad riding is nonexistent. I have managed to keep busy and somewhat in shape by skate skiing, riding the trainer/rollers, and pedicabing on weekends. With most days spent in my basement spinning like a hamster on a wheel I am always looking for ways to stay occupied and often that falls on the tunes pumping through the ear buds that just so happen to fit nicely into my ears. If you are anything like me a lot of your motivation comes from your trusty ipod, and are alway looking for new music. Currently I am hooked on Jaydiohead, I love mashups and Minty Fresh Beats made a masterpiece combining two very different sounds into an amazing album. I especially like "No Karma" and "Dirt Off Your Android". In addition to Jaydiohead I have an ever evolving soundtrack to my rides. Some of the songs on my playlist illicit an almost Pavlovian response from my legs and lungs. My current top 5 songs to ride to, excluding Jaydiohead and random euro techno, are as follows:

1. Ted Nugent - Stranglehold
2. Eminem - 'Til I Collapse
3. Hollywood Undead - Undead
4. Rage Against The Machine - Calm Like a Bomb(or any RATM for that matter)
5. Kevin Rudolf - Let it Rock

My taste is a bit all over the place, but variety is the spice of life. Check out any songs you don't recognize, and feel free to share anything you think will keep me on the trainer so when I talk about my form round isn't the first word I use.

GBK

2009 Dreams... Bikes

As with any turn of the calendar to another year, resolutions are had, dreams are made as we look out to the coming year... at this point, is full of potential. It may not come to any surprise but since the 2009 bikes started to be released back in August anyone working in a shop started looking for when these new models might come to be. Other than the release of the 2009 bikes, I think there might not be more excitement around product other than when the new QBP catalog comes in.

A few bikes across the industry have caught my eye, granted the likelihood of ever getting my hands on any of these bikes is extremely limited, so don't expect full review on these anytime soon.


The first bike is the 2009 Raleigh Detour Deluxe. Raleighs website states that the bike will range somewhere between $700 and $1100. A solidly spec'd bike that comes with fenders, lights and a rack.

Why do I like it? Well... I've already mentioned that the spec on the bike is solid, especially for a commuter. My only hesitance is the price, especially if the bike goes for over $1000. It has been my experience that as soon as a 'commuter' specific bike hits that price point, it becomes more of a shop rat bike. Granted, in such cycling Meca's like Portland I'm sure get more attention by the everyday commuter and maybe even the beginner. With all that said, I tweak all of my bikes. I've never let one of them stay stock. Partly because none really hit all my needs or desires for said bike. But this bike is straight forward, solid and ready.

Next we have the 2009 Fuji Palisade 1.0. It's MSRP is at $470 which is awesome.

Why do I like it? Come on! Look at it. SA-weeeeeeeet! But yes, looks aren't everything. The build on the Palisade does have some to desire. With only a 21 speed drive train and lacking a Shimano or SRAM drivetrain gets me a little nervous but we need to consider what this bike was built for. The college campus. A mustache bar for multiple hand positions and a front rack that well, I can't get enough of front racks. I don't see myself wanting to change much of this bike, sure, if I ever got one, I would abuse it, doing only minor work on it... but I think that's what the draw is.

So I'm late on this one... the Salsa Fargo. I don't need to say anything more because it's all been said by G. Ted. I want it, I have dreamt about it [I realize how akward that sounds] and it will remain that...

The Trek District. MSRP $929.99. Ouch! but not really. I had the privledge of seeing this at the 09 Trek World and needless to say [and Geoff can attest to] this bike rocked my socks off.

Why do I like it? Once again. LOOK AT IT! Last year one of my primary commuters was the Soho S, which is the exact frame work that the District works from. They even flipped the stem. What put me over the edge on this bike is the belt drive system. No maintance, basically ever. If the belt system wasn't already out for a few years I would not be as excited for this bike as others, since anything new often can either last but mostly fades away never to be seen or heard from again [so good luck getting parts]. The only way I could see Trek improving this bike is actually using Velocity hoops. Say what you will but Velocity wheels are the only way to go especially when comparing knock offs to the real deal Deep V's
Finally, the 2009 Schwinn Continental. Wait... what was that sound I just heard. Oh yeah, the sound of all you fellow bike-snobs gasping that I might actually be interesting a Schwinn. And I'll admit, if it wasn't that I worked at shop that sold them I would have mocked this bike from the get go and never really consider it. Ok, now for a gasp that's worth it... MSRP: $2399.99.

Wowza.

Why do I like it? Ok, Schwinn has made some mistakes in it's past, we all know it. The Schwinn name unfortunately means little or nothing since they sold out to the Big Box stores. BUT... believe it or not, they still make solid bikes for the independent bike shops. With that said, this bike has been in development and teased dealers and consumers for a few years. But it looks like it's finally going to show itself this year, according to my rep we will see them around March.

What's so special about it? Well, Schwinn offers a few different models of the electric bike and this at the top of the scale. I'm drawn to this model for a number of reasons... no unleaded! it's gas free!, 7 speed internal hub, as with most of the bike shown, rack and fenders, the battery has a 60 mile range and an extremely fast charge time 4 hours! and finally the electric system only adds 10 pounds to the bike.

Sure as with all the other bikes, I'll probably never own this one either. BUT. For the commuter who is concerned about the sweaty biking look at work, this might be the perfect option.


Sure, in a perfect world I'd be able to give full reviews with ride time on these bikes and really try to make you understand why each of them, I believe, are very worthy of purchasing. But now it's up to you to go out and try them.



Oh! If anyone is looking for a Bontrager Carbon 29er Fork I hear there is a great deal on one here.

American Winter Exercise.

Now, I first must apologize. One, for the extremely poor quality photo [via my 2 year old Motorola Sliver mobile] and two for what may follow. This post really has nothing to do with cycling but it is more of a observation from my morning.

With that said. These next two days I have off from the shop. Which can and can not be a blessing as to how I choose to spend my free time. Lots on the list of things to do and hopefully get done. A few bikes to clean up, take apart, reorganize and so on but also hopefully getting some longer rides in and some much needed reading.

For the last 6 months are so I've had the privilege to meet Tuesday mornings for a few hours with Steve Carter. He is up until this coming Thursday part of Mars Hill community as the head of the kids through college ministries, after Thursday he is moving to California to become one of the voices at Rock Harbor. Our time has been spent talking about how to bring about the world we so desire to see here and now to life, what it means to pursue and live out the best kind of life, and how 7th and 8th graders can realize who Christ is and what that means for their lives. We studied for his teachings and tossed ideas back and forth. I am privileged to call him a friend, a mentor, who has challenged me to think in ways and about things with his sage like wisdom.

I digress. Saying all this to say that Steve suggested a book today. Art and Fear by D. Bayles and T. Orland... I'm extremely intrigued by it. As with so many of the books Steve has suggested I'm sure it's going to be a great read. After our time together, I headed towards the local Barnes and Noble [is it just me or is that an interesting way to refer to a national chain that takes out real local small businesses?] to see if they had the book in stock. In Grandville Michigan, the B&N is connected to a mall and unfortunately that mall didn't open until 10, I got there at 9:40.

I decided to go inside and find a bench just to process through some of the other things that we spoke about today. The funny thing about sitting there, is I soon realized I was not alone by any means. I looked up and saw countless [yes, I lost count] on the amount of mall walkers there were. In pairs, pushing strollers, with their iPods in hand. And because of the amount of people there, I did feel compelled to join in. But I might add with a little reluctance since I didn't know if I wearing the right attire [much like showing up to fixie ride with a bunch of hipsters oddly enough] so I begun by snapping some pictures with my mobile.

This did get very exciting, much like the mullet hunting of my past. Some people in 80's jogging suits, some in blue jeans, but two people did stand out. One mall walker must have killed Chewy or gotten a hold of some poor ewok for her fashionable mall walking boots. Then there was what looked to be someone in their 70's with a nice navy blue 80's jogging suit on, his jacket unzipped with a 'A-neck' shirt on underneath only to top it off with some bling. a thick silver necklace with a big ol' dollar bill medallion.

Oh, I was inspired. I decided join in and make a lap. Only to realize that I was not obeying some unstated or known rules of the mall walker. I was getting lapped on both sides, a casual pace was not accepted, but a speed walk was frowned upon. I made my way to the outside of the unmarked 'lanes' of the mall-track. Soon enough, I passed and got to overhear and see an old man leaning against the rail making cat calls to other mall walking women around the same again has him. Smooth, let me tell you. I thought I should actually sit down and take notes because this was man who was very experienced in this specialized art form.

All in all, it did make for a great way to start the day and really, that's all I can really ask for. Especially on a day off.

Ski Bikes?

Winter can be a hard time for Cyclists in colder states. It's after the new year, the snow has been piled up for a long time, and it seems like you haven't been able to get out and open your lungs on a bike for a coon's age. That is...without getting that annoying cold-weather runny nose that you can't feel until you can taste it.

A few weeks ago, a buddy Zach and I attempted to put an end to our cycle-less sorrows and build the ultimate sledding machine. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Peter Flapjacks: the Skibike.

He does look a little daunting at first, yes...but he's rather sturdy. Two quick-releases, some wood blocks, Skis, and a hand-me-down Target Mountain Bike were what we had, and we decided to throw a little love in the mixture to see what happened. Peter Flapjacks was a success....save for one thing.

Peter can't go. Sure, as much as gravity will propel a rock down the side of a hill is as much as Peter CAN go--rather quickly, too--but what he lacks is the will or means of self-propulsion. Peter was gloomily retired to the garage after we realized the hard way that in order to ride the bike down the hill, one must carry the bike UP the hill first.

So what, then...is the solution to the winter cycling discontent? One solution developed by a Canadian guy is called the Ktrak...and it resembles Peter Flapjacks quite closely.

According the Ktrak's website, the Ktrak "redefines the mountain bike," and I would say that's an understatement. The idea is actually a kit that will adapt to your current bike...kind of like an Xtracycle. The tank-looking rear assembly mounts in place of your current rear wheel, and the consumer has the option of a Ski in the front or keeping their own wheel in place.

Reviews have been mixed, but positive in the majority, and although the Ktrak can tackle Snow, ice, and dirt, its downfall is cement! although you won't have to worry about scratching the ski or the tread on the rear, the bike (ish-thing) can't get the traction to turn on the cement. This could be a problem for commuters, which is where I'm guessing that Ktrak will get any market at all.

It's not as expensive as you would think, either. The rear kit alone will cost $350, while the complete kit (with ski) will cost you about $450.

Crazy?

Looking for a New Ride?

Now, this isn't some thing that I typically do but. I figured it was the least I could do for a friend trying to move a bike. If you're looking to get into a fixie you've probably noticed for how simple of a machine it is, it isn't often the most inexpensive venture to do so.

My buddy Ryan has this 1972 Schwinn Continental that he has made into a fixie. It has 27 1 3/8 knobbys on it that make it a great winter bike also. He's looking to get $100 out of it, which is a steal when compared to the $150 you'd spend on wheels alone if you wanted to make it a fixie yourself.

Questions? Email him at rfunnell0221@gmail.com

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