Mike and Kathy on their new Pivot Mach 429s
If you’ve never heard of Pivot Cycles (I hadn’t until recently), check them out on the web at http://www.pivotcycles.com/
Rider Photos
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Monthly Archives: July 2008
Tour de Fat 2008 in Truckee
New Belgium’s Tour de Fat is coming to Truckee this Saturday, July 26th.
As usual, the event will be held at the Truckee River Regional Park
Register 9am, Bike Parade 10am, Revivalation 11am – 4pm
If you’ve never been, the Tour de Fat is a must see. Especially if you’re a fan of New Belgium’s many fine brews. The event starts off with a short (3 miles maybe) fun ride through Truckee, and then returns to the park for the festivities.
Here’s a look at the Tour de Fat from previous years:
The Poodles – 2007
Freak Bikes – 2005
The Sprockettes - 2007
Beer!
Hope to See You There!
Back from the Coast
The family and I are back from vacation, and our internal batteries have been recharged. After a day of rest that is. A full day in the car will kill ya! That, and eating out for a week.
Humboldt County’s Other Other Intoxicant
Northern California was a nice break from the heat, smoke, and wind. Temperatures were cool in the 50′s and 60′s, and some places even had the fireplaces going! The coastal breeze kept the smoke inland, and we were treated to moist, oxygen rich air for the duration of our trip.
Throughout Ferndale, Eureka, Arcata, and Trinidad, there was no shortage of good food and drink. Fish and Chips, Beer, Gourmet Vegetarian Fare, Wine, Bread Pudding, we found it all! I may have to go on a calorie restricted diet for a few days before I even think about getting on the scales.
Walking Among the Giants
The best thing about the trip though was the beauty of the area. In addition to the incredible old time architecture of the towns, we saw much natural beauty too. The northern California coast just seems unspoiled. Giant redwood trees, deserted beaches…it’s a chance to see the country as it once was.
I didn’t sense a big cycling community in the area. At least not like we know it in Northern Nevada. I did see many cyclists making the journey down HWY 101 though. Heavily loaded touring bikes were a common sight along the roads. With all the rolling terrain, this has got to be one tough ride! Not to mention the 70 mph traffic these folks were enduring…
It’s good to be back and refreshed, because there are some cool bicycle events coming up soon. Stay tuned!
You are invited to check out the photo collection of our trip to the Northern California Coast. Just CLICK HERE!
Tribute Part 2
Tank waits patiently on the 7 Steps trail for the return of J-Mo.
Distraught that he won’t see J-Mo for two days, Tank finds solace at the bottom of his food dish.
Tribute to J-Mo
While the boss is on vacation I’ll try to keep the content flowing. I’ll start with a photo tribute to J-Mo.
J-Mo climbing 7 Steps
Solo Rides, Rubber Boas, Good-Bye!
Lunch time ride turnout was pretty thin last week with all the obligations the other riders had. This allowed me to get a couple solo rides in, something that doesn’t happen too often (other than my commute).
Franktown Road – Slide Mountain
On Thursday the smoke cleared right around the lunch hour, and I had the road bike with me. I seized the opportunity to grab an 18 miler out to Franktown road and back, and still made it back to work in around an hour.
Self Portrait – 10 Second Timer
On Friday I knew it’d be my last ride for a few days, so I made it a good one. I rode up the Fourday Trail, and got to see the trail work I missed on Wednesday. Man, this trail is riding good! You guys do good work! I finished off the ride with a descent down the Creek Trail, Postal, and Jackrabbit.
I’d also like to share a couple photos of a snake I found on the climb. This poor guy had probably been hit by a truck, and was laying out on the road. I picked him up and posed him on the side of the road for some good photos.
Rubber Boa
After much discussion of my pictures online, we came to the conclusion that this is a Rubber Boa! One of the giveaways is the blunt tail, used to trick predators as a false head. I was pretty shocked that a rubber boa would be in Ash Canyon, but upon further reading, I read that the Eastern Sierra is part of their habitat…the edge of their domain. I don’t recall ever seeing one around here though. Well now there’s one less of them sadly…
Rubber Boa
Well, dear readers. I’m off for a week long adventure, and won’t be making any blog entries for a while. Nor will I be bringing any bikes. It’s time to unplug and recharge the batteries. I’m so ready for a break! I just bought a 2GB memory card for the camera though, and this ought to be plenty of storage for many a good picture. I had to do this so I wouldn’t bring the computer as an excuse to upload photos!
Vacation Time!
Where are the family and I going you ask? I’ll give you a hint… We’re going to the source of the mighty 8 Ball Stout. Home of the Downtown Brown. The Lost Coast…
See you in a week! Hopefully some of the other Bike Carson contributors will pen some fine articles for you in my absence. Until then, Cheers!
Reno Stolen Bike Alert
Thought I’d pass the word along. Here’s a stolen bike(s!) alert from Downhill Reno!
This morning I awoke to movement in my house at 5 a.m. I thought it was the cats at first. I got up to take a leak and heard the garage door open. Something I know the cats can’t do. By the time I got some cloths on and got down stairs my brand new Santa Cruz Blur 4X and my wife’s Santa Cruz Heckler were gone. The good news is that they didn’t get my V-10 or motorcycle. As you might know the Blur 4X is pretty rare here in Reno so if anybody sees one it is more than likely mine.
Micheal Town
Blur 4X:
size:LG
color: silver
fork:Fox TALAS RC2 with faded rebound cap (pink)
brakes:Avid juicy 5
cranks: Black Race Face Ride XC
hubs: DT/Hayes laced up on WTB Dual Duty rims
Easton bars, stem, and seat postHeckler:
size:med
color:black
fork:Rock Shox Psylo SL
brakes:Hayes mag
cranks:Truvativ Holtzfeller
wheelset:OEM disc
Easton bars, victory racing stemContact Mike: dhtahoe2003 at yahoo.com