Through a Kids Eyes

There are times when even a "weekend warrior" mountain bike rider gets caught up "business" of riding.  Stressing over tire pressure, chain lube, or gearing, etc.  So it is great when why we ride gets put back into perspective.  Friday I came after a long day of work and just as I get out of my car up walks my neighbor kid from across the street with his friend.  They are pushing a BMX bike with a flat, and the first thing they say is "Mr. Cole, what is your schedule like today."  How can you say anything but, "bring it on it and lets have a look."  I put it on the stand and fixed the flat.  They my neighbor says, Mr. Cole, can you fix mine too?  Of course.  So he runs over and gets it.  Then I let them take my 10' see-saw obstacle and my 4"x6" by 10' "skinny".  They took them across the street, setup a ramp and started sessioning them.  I went in to eat.  About 30 mins later, there is a knock at the door, and it is my two young friends and they say "Do you want to come ride with us."  Of course the 50 year old in me thinks of a hundred other things I need to do, but the kid in me says "why not."  So there you have it, three kids sessioning in the street on Highland as the sun is setting.  We hit the see-saw, bunny hopped, road the skinny and the curbs, and in general just had fun with big smiles on our faces.  I want back home with a big smile on my face and a refreshed view of why I like to ride.

Bike Shop's - The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

First off, I love bike shops, it is all I can do to make myself drive by one and not stop in for a look.  In Corvallis there are seven that I know of and OSU probably has something on campus, and there is a co-Op. In general, I've had great experiences and sadly I've had some had negative ones.  It is the negative ones that frustrate and surprise me. While there are some full-time bikers (and quite a few in a small town like Corvallis), it is still mainly a discretionary sport, as such you would think that building a relationship with customers would be very important, but I have not found that to be universally true.Let me give you to four examples:

I walk into one of the Corvallis shops (Peak Sports) and they know my name, ask about my rides, want to know how I'm doing.  When I've come in with an issue, even if the shop is backed up, they take care of me.  That kind of service and attention makes me loyal.  They know I'll come back if I need something and that relationship makes me want to come back (like going to Les Schwab). 

I have the exact same experience at my other favorite shop Corvallis Cyclery.  They also know my name and I trust them, so much so, that I'll stop in even if I don't have a repair to do and talk for a few minutes about rides, parts, etc.  They even do shop rides and they have some very good mountain bikers (and some bike polo players), so they can relate to me and my year-round riding.  They know what products will work for the type of riding I do.  What I like the most, is that they'll help me to do my own maintenance and give me advice on the little things, knowing that I'll bring it in for the big things. That gives me more confidence when I'm out on the trail and something happens.  Because of them, I know I can "MacGyver" it back.

Contrast that with my experience in Salem at the Bike Pedler.  This is a great little shop, but I've never felt very welcome.  It never feels "about me" when I walk in. It has been my experience that they don't really take an interest. I feel they don't really cater to mountain bikers (more road and commute) and when I was in a jam and wanted them to look at something specific to my Specialized (they are the local dealer) and give me an opinion they said they were to busy (that has happened more than once).  Way way different than when I walk into Santiam Cycle (also in Salem).  Even though they don't know me (since I live in Corvallis), they take an interest when I walk in. Talk to me and have given me some great advice about local rides, and Hammer products.

My final example is with "Over the Edge" bike shop in Hurricane, Utah. I was in Hurricane for my son's wedding last fall.  I wanted to ride, but didn't have a bike, so I "cold called" a few places over the phone and was discouraged with how I was treated.  That changed when I talked with the guys at "Over the Edge" about renting a bike.  This was confirmed with I went to this great little house that is the bike shop.  It was last minute and their was the "St. George 100" road ride going on, yet they took the time to outfit us with two full-suspension bikes, trail map, and gave us (Darin and I) advice on the best ride to do (the 20-mile J.E.M that starts almost ride outside their front door).  If you are ever there, go see them.
Over the Edge
76 East 100 South
Hurricane, Utah 84737
435-635-5455
http://www.otehurricane.com/

So what does this all mean?  Like any business, treat everyone with respect and interest as a service provider is a key to success and loyalty.  If a bike shop takes as much interest in making sure I find the best ride or in selling me a brake pads (or even when I don't spend any money). It will be rewarded when I want to not just buy a bike, but when I need to spend the $200 to $300 a year I spend on maintenance and parts.  Plus, riders talk to riders and the word gets around, both positive and negative.  HP sells printers, but they really make money in supplies.  Les Schwab fixes flats for free and only ask that you come back when you need tires (I never go any where else, even if it might be a few dollars cheaper).  It think it is sad when Bike shops forget this philosophy also.  They'll do more than just sell bikes, but build a loyal community.  Luckily for me (and everyone else) that only happens on rare occasions, because the vast majority of bike shops are the 2nd best place to be when you are not on the trail.  Now, go ride!

C2C 2010 - Wet, Muddy, but not so Bloody

The 2010 effort lived up its "epic" title as it was full of cool temps, slick sticks, and crazy mud. Here are the stats for this year:

Start time: 5:33 a.m.
Start temp: 48
Ending temp: 54
Saddle time: - 7.22
Total time: 9:27
Total miles: 63:89
Elevation: ?? (anyone?)
Top Speed: ?? (anyone?)

Highlights, we started under cloudy skies, but the temp was great (48) for riding. Started with 7, but one rider had to take the 2nd bale out point (25 miles) due to a foot issue (that was an unplanned "smart move" as we later learned when the climbing and rain started). Since most of us had long sleeves on because of the weather, we didn't stop at The Nettles to put on bags (my ankle tingled for three days). The climb up the Randall Saddle was the best weather of the day and it reached 57, but as we dropped down the coast side it started to cool. The "tunnel" was full of mud and the branches have grown in.  It was the year of missed turns, because other than myself, no one had done it more than once, and we have four "first timers."  Nothing delayed us much, but it was funny.

We took a good rest at the "Root Ball" just before the Pump House and Power Line trails start, and that's when it started raining (about 2:00 pm), now we were already wet from the Tunnel, so the rain just added to it. Not really rain drops, but a Coast mist.  Other highlights (that I know of) are, one, that we had no flats or bike issues at all (last year there were 15 flats. I hit a hidden slick stick in a large mud hole and did a full on swan dive into it (but my hip was protected by the water and mud), Eric got bit by two slick sticks coming down the 2ndRight (yes I turned to early).

Finally at 3:00 p.m. We rolled in wet, cold, muddy, tired and happy to see our supportive families, warm cloths, a bike wash, and lots and lots of food!  It was a great "epic" ride. 

C2C 2010 Riders: Craig, Frank, Todd, Marcus, Eric, Mike, and James G.

C2C 2011 is scheduled for Friday July 1, 2011. Start training now :-) and hope for dry weather.

The Slant Saved My Life - why we wear helmets

There are very few things that bug me, but I live on a busy street in Corvallis and I hear bike riders going by all the time. Yes, I said "hear" because I hear squeaky non-lubed chains. Not just young kids, but teenagers, college kids, and adults. It is almost painful, like finger nails on the chalk board. I want to yell at them "oil your chain!" The other thing that bugs me is when I see people riding there bikes (and motorcycles) not wearing a helmet. I have a young man who is now married with two kids who almost died coming home from school because he crashed on his bike and he wasn't wearing a helmet. And in the last month a riding partner took a hard crash that would have probably died without his helmet. And finally, just last week, coming down the McKenzie I had a slow pitch over the handlebars coming down the stair step above the Blue Pool and who have also died if it wasn't for my Bell Slant. It took the direct impact of a lava rock point which dented and cracked it, but saved me. My point, take care of your equipment and it will take care of you (if you use it), so wear your helmet and lube your chain (no I sound like my Dad).

Other events in the last 7 days, Thursday night ride, Friday road Bonsai at Black Rock , Saturday road the McKenzie Trail, Tuesday Chip Ross and Dan's, yesterday's night ride was Lollipop Loop and Bald Hill, this morning it was up McCulloch, down The Secret and down Stick n Eye. Tomorrow is the C2C Cert Ride (21 miles and 3,800 feet).

Photo's are 1) The Blue Pool 2) Black Rock 3) n 4) are my helmet 5) n 6) my riding buddy and the EMT's and 7) The McKenzie Trail

I'm Glad I Have A Back-Up Bike

My wife got me a bike stand last Christmas, and I remember saying, this is going to pay for itself as I do my own maintenance.  Well not this week! After last Friday's ride, I came home and put the bike on the stand to lube the chain.  It is then that I noticed that rear wheel had a wobble.  Turns out I had a broken spoke.  Since I've never learned to do that fix yet, I took it down to Corvallis Cyclery to have them fix it.  Eric gave me a call later that day and said you have one broke and 5 that are just about to break.  Looks like your chain came off between the hub and the spokes (I knew I should have left that tacky spoke guard on).  He got them fixed, but my schedule didn't allow me to get down there to pick it up.  Thus the need (and beauty) of having a back-up bike.

It is a testament to a great bike, when you get on it after a year and still love riding it.  My 06 Stumpy still has things I miss on my 08. 

So I get the tire put it on then back on the stand to put some air in my shock.  As I go to spin off the protective cap, the entire stem starts to un-screw.  I put it back on with my fingers then start to put air in the shock as I'm doing so, I see something sticking out of the side of the stem where it joins the shock housing.  It looks like a pine needle or something.  So I grap it, wrong thing to do.  It is really a part of the rubber seal and the minute I remove it, the shock deflates and won't hold air.  So now it is back to the my other favorite bike shop, Peak Sports because they are the authorized Specialized dealer.  Bad news, is it is going to take a shock rebuild which is in Salt Lake.

So once again, I'm glad that I have a great back-up bike because I'll need it for the McKenzie Trail this coming Saturday.  They promised me it would be back in time for the C2C!  I just love that bike stand. It is saving me so much money.

Redline Rescue - The Result

The Redline has been rescued. The final cost is $329 and I could have got it under $300 if I had done more of the work myself and not splurged on a cool tire changing tool, but I thought the hub work and bottom bracket was a good investment. As for the tool, it was just a cool idea and I'm no weight weenie. I had two goof ups. I bought a 22" bar (did mm conversion in my head) from BackCountry, I want 25" (which has been ordered) and I got single sided cleats (more like road cleats) because I didn't look close at the picture on E-bay. Otherwise I'm very happy about what I learned and how it turned out (is that kinda sick to be happy with a rigid single speed when you have a full-suspension 27 speed?).  Here are the stats:

Redline Monocog 19" Bike - $25
Redline Rigid Fork - $60
Avid Pull Brake (rear) - came with fork
YMID Bike Seat - $10
Magura Hydraulic Front Brake - Free (thanks James)
ZChain - $10
Clips - $7
BBB Stem $12
BBB Bar $12
Specialized Lock-on Grips - no charge (from old bike)
New front rim to lace to hub/spokes $25
Specialized Pro 26x2 front tire - no charge (from old bike)
Bottom Bracket $25
Quick Release $5
Spacers $6
Two Tubes - $10
Rim Insert - $1
Origin8 tool $16 (splurge)
Shop Labor $63 (no I didn't do it all, I wasn't going to lace the spokes or do the bottom bracket - thanks Corvallis Cyclery)
Shipping $42

Total $329

Running 39x18 which = 56.3 inches with a gear roll-out of 4.492
Weight - 23.6 lbs.

Before

After

Redline Rescue Update - Buying Parts

The Redline Rescue project is under way.  I started with 6 bikes and I have sold 5 of them.  All to people who love bikes.  Two even to the guys at Corvallis Cyclery who want to use them for Bike Polo mounts.  In going through them, I found that one is a 19" frame (the rest are 17").  So in the picture below, you see the "Before" picture.  The second photo is the Redline stripped down. 

What have I learned so far?  First, that it is easier to tear down that to build up.  Second, that I don't know much about how bikes are built. Let me illustrate, the goal of the Redline Rescue is to build a single speed as cheap as possible, but not with cheap parts.  What I've learned is that parts don't always go together.  For example, I ordered a new stem for $12 and a new wide bar for $7.  When both arrived, the stem is the 1.5" and the bar 1".  It was cheaper to get a second bar at $12, but it wasn't as wide as the first.  The fork arrived about 1" longer.  So the next lesson is head sets and spacers. I also picked up a new chain and a good friend gave me a set of disk brakes after cleaning out his garage.  Finally, I picked up a set of SPD pedals from eBay, but they turned out to be older and with cleat access on one side.  I didn't know they made those and it wasn't clear in the description (so I'm still learning).  I'll keep you posted.

Before

Frame Only