WAR

Just wanted to share some things I dug up. Too important to just keep to myslef. Of course, I took none of the photos myself.

WWII

To tie this post to mountain biking somehow, I posted this video a friend told me about on youtube. Never knew Hitler had so much in common with us.

Funny thing is, I can imagine this scenario actually playing out when W. Bush was pres as I know he mountain bikes and spent a lot of time on vacation.

Vietnam

McDowell Competitive Track

I had the day off, so I decided to head up to McDowell Mtn park. Ton of chores (painting the house, lawn seeding and more) so I can't get too far away. 

I always have enjoyed the McDowell park, but it's just a ways off. Fountain Hills to be precise. 

The last time I rode the Competitive track loops, I was on the Yeti 575 that Anthony Sloan set up. This was in February, Anthony passed on in May. Sad thing, he was so talented. Not only as a blogger and photographer but also as a bike mechanic. We talked about twenty minutes about bikes, but I had to rush home. Never talked Photography nor blogging. I didn't even know who he was at the time. Just hit me in the face when I saw his photo after they found him.  

The desert was not nearly as green as it was in Feb. The trail didn't seem nearly as smooth either. I don't know if the ruts got bigger or if the 575 just had that great of a suspension, but it seemed a lot smoother then.  However, you can't beat the Moab as far as a climber goes. I'm pretty weak these days, but I can climb like a goat with the Moab.

Anyways, I made another Phone video of part of the technical loop. You loose site of the the trail in the middle as the treo slide under the belt strap. I fix it through so bear with it if you want to see what the trail looks like. The dang thing wouldn't upload in blogger. I had to load it to You tube and embed it. Maybe this is better?

After the ride, I stopped in at Redendos for a slice of Pizza. One of the better pizza joints in town. Never had Biancos (hear you go in to a heavenly trance while taking a bite. Must be great as there is a five hour wait for pizza!) but I would rate the place slightly better than 'Slices' in Tempe off Mill, much better than Luigis and on par with Franks off of 32nd street and Indian School. Nellos and the Chicago places are something different. Good but different. 


Hope you enjoy the video as much I did making it.

So long for now,

Frank

2009 Motobecane Outcast 29

I ordered a new 2009 Motobecane Outcast 29 from BikesDirect.com Monday, September 28th. It arrived on Friday, October 2nd at my door via UPS. It was 90 percent assmebled and the remaining 10% was a snap. Just had to put on the handle bars, pedals and Seat post.

If anyone wants detailed instructions for this particular model and I can provide them via this blog. Otherwise bike tutor is a great online source for that sort of thing. I just put it together. No instructions necessary. All I needed was the good old Hans tool and some Anti-Seize grease. (some allen wrenches were all I used on the Hanz tool.)

It has been over a year since I have ridden a bicycle to work. (my 1999 Schwinn Mesa GSX was stolen from work Fat Tire stole Bikes) In that year my weight has increased, my Cholesterol has increased, my blood pressure has increased while my stamina has decreased and my ability to enjoy the weekend rides has decreased.

Everything in life involves momentum and when I found this 29er on closeout I knew the time to make a change arrived. At the rate and direction I am heading, in another year or so the only thing I would be able to enjoy would be watching TV and eating.
 
So I was able to ride the new Outcast 29 to work three times this week. I enjoyed my commute each time. A co-worker and fellow biker told me that the commute was the best part of his day when he rides in. I won't go that far, but I will say I enjoy riding the Outcast to work (and back home!).

It had been awhile since I rode a single speed ridged bike. Found myself reaching for the gear changer at first, but I didn't really miss the gears. (Keep you posted if I ever take this one out on the trails). However, I was surprised out how much the front shocks had been smoothing out my rides. Again, you get used to it. Not really necessary for a commuter bike. The outcast comes with a second set of cogs should you want to change the gearing. It was fine as it came for me. Another option is switching to fixed gear mode. This just means that you will have the ability to ride backwards but you would have to pedal all the time. I never have had the need to ride my bikes backwards, so I am leaving it in Freewheel mode for now.

I'll add a new post once I hit the trail. The single speed may be just the handicap I need when riding with 'Rest break' Phil, but the guy goes crazy fast on the downhills. May even change his nickname to 'Downhill' Phil. First time mountain biking the guy jumps off a five foot bank and doesn't even slow down.In the meantime if you see Phil taking a break on the trail, don't worry. He's okay. Also a nice handicap for riding with my nephew, but I guess he is riding a single speed ridged bike himself.

So long for now, Frank

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Map of the main portion of the Papagos. Over in Phoenix. Rode out here instead one day.

End of summer

It may get to 108 degrees today, but if feels like summer in the desert is coming to an end . That's not a bad thing for biking in the desert. Just ask your local shop owner.

I headed out to 'Desert Classic' this morning and could not find a parking space at the 48th st and Guadalupe lot. I am telling you, it's like going to the beach in California or like going skiing after fresh powder blankets the mountain from the night before. Cosmic Ray said something like "You can't swing a dead cat without hitting some neon nig nog poser going way to fast." when he wrote about the DC, but I like it. I like the scene. The only drawback is parking and  It is only more difficult to find a parking spot because the city stopped allowing us to park on both sides of the street.

Not willing to wait for a parking spot to open up, I headed out to the 'Warpaint' trail head. This trail head is a local secret. Always a place to park and you link up to the trail with some sweet little side trail.

The ease of parking at warpaint may soon come to an end as well. Developers are bull dozing the area across from the entrance at warpaint. Some high end housing no doubt. The owners won't want us parking there anymore. Sighhh. It was good while it lasted. (for years and years)


Sorry I have no pics. My good old Palm Treo finally bit the dust. I found another one on ebay and will be back in business soon.

Anyway, I have some video of warpaint on an older post. petroglyphs in plain site

Here are some old DC pics I have never posted.  Here is Steve with a broken chain. Now that it's cooling off, he plans on coming out more. He no longer wears his jeans on the trail. He is not a neon lycra nig nog poser by any means but he's swung a bit in that direction. Just shorts and rock shocks were a big step for him. He used to ride the entire trail 100 on a fully rigid bike. "Shocks! I'd ride on the street if I wanted a smooth ride!" He used to say. Now he likes them.

Here is Phil taking a brake. Wonder how he got the nickname of 'Restbrake'. At least I have never seen him over heated.

Yeah, summer is ending soon. From October 1st to October 15th (north rim closes) we can ride anywhere in the state. See link: http://fat-tire.net/trailviewer/filteredTrails.aspx?Area=Oct

October and May are the prime months. (north rim opens May 15th)

Oh, for my dad. You can get some fishing stories at: http://fat-tire.net/feedz/newzFeedz.aspx fourth link from the left. I even made the font something I think you will like.

Darren's Rides: Cactus Rod The Toughest Mountain Bike Rider I Know

Darren's Rides: Cactus Rod The Toughest Mountain Bike Rider I Know

Liked this story so much, I linked it to http://fat-tire.net/trailviewer/trailDetails.aspx?ID=58