Harbison Samaritans Purse Race

Although I REALLY wanted to ride in the race, I was there as a volunteer and had to restrain myself from snagging someone’s bike and going out on the course. My friend, Paul, offered for me to borrow his daughters Barbie bike but it was a single speed and I thought that might cause me some problems. Seriously though, it was a success from the standpoint of raising money and doing something to benefit others. I don’t have the final numbers, but we raised somewhere in the range of $500.00 after expenses. That’s enough to ship 55 shoeboxes full of Christmas cheer to children around the world. Its also enough to provide tools and training for 5 families to be better subsistence farmers for their families (give a man a fish vs. teach a man to fish…).

The idea was to do this November race this year without loosing our shirts and for Rebecca to “show me the ropes”. Next year, I’ll try to do it solo and then make it an annual event after that. That’s my goal atleast. Since it was a multi lap event, it was really cool to see the race play out as the riders passed the start/finish line. I had a really good time and it was good to see everyone who participated.

Harbison Race

Here you go:

Volunteers - Race to the River

Soon we will be releasing specifics on the upcoming Race to the River. This popular local event will return in November and the current date is Sunday Nov 16. Pencil that in and I will post the flyer once it is finalized. I hope all of you will participate. We have scheduled it to kick off the holidays to raise some support for others in need.

I have committed to supplying 15 volunteers! If you are riding in the race, maybe your spouse could volunteer to be a course marshall, help with registration, etc. Let me know if you would like to help. Thanks in advance.

Thursday Night Urban Assault

45 miles - 2:45 ride time. There were heavy winds all night long and it was to our back the first 1/2 of the ride.

At one point, we were riding along at about 20 mph and the air was completely still which meant it was about a 20 mph tail wind.

With the wind at our backs we climbed the long climbs on Pine Plain?? road off of Charleston highway at around 17 mph then when we crested the hill and were riding on the flat section we were going 27 mph (thats on a mountain bike with fat tires). Of course the down hill section was fast and we approached 40 mph coasting on the down hill.

All of that was fun until we headed back into the wind on the way home and my legs were toast. Even in the draft line the wind was rough because it was a cross wind.

Saturday Morning Ride

Well, it really stinks always bringing up the rear but Saturday was no different.

Jim – must be drinking some of natures recovery drink lately. You have really stepped it up since the last time we rode. Setting a 12.3ish pace through inner woman…

Dennis – Energy level reminded me of the squirrel in “Over the Hedge.” Then I found out he drank several Red Bulls before the ride.

Monty – was Monty. Wish I could say the single speed slowed him down...

I had a good time and it was great to get out in the cooler morning air. I think I actually saw a few leaves floating down from above. Sorry I bailed before Lost Creek, but it just wasn’t my day. No excuses.

New toy

Tomorrow I am taking these babies on their maiden voyage.


My Giant Anthem came with the Race Face predecessor to these cranks and I have had nothing but problems from them. They kept loosening up and therefore wobbling in the bottom bracket. Summit Cycles would work on them under warranty and add spacers to correct the extra play. And we would all scratch our heads wondering how they loosen up because the crank bolt tightens till it bottoms out. Once it is tight you cant tighten it any more, but it would still be loose. That would work for a while then they would loosen up again. Finally, the extra play damaged the BB and I had to replace that on my own dime since it was several months out of warranty. Went with a Shimano XT BB thinking the play was in the BB. Eventually the play returned.

I called Race Face and they agreed to send me a new one even though I had 2 years and probably 1500 miles on the bike. They said the predecessor was experiencing a problem where the internal shaft that is pressed into the drive side crank was pulling itself out over time. This solved the mystery of how they were loosening.

Looking forward to not worrying if they will loosen again and not scaring the wildlife away with the old noisy ones.

Just say no to Sports Glasses

I recently came across this on USA Cycling website. In an Olympics full of whacky sports eye wear (especially from the American athletes) its nice to see someone go against the grain.

Adam Craig while racing in the olympic mountain bike race in Beijing sporting some aviator style glasses.