Doors Close, Doors Open

Break out the hammer and WD-40. Time to chip away the rust on this frozen blog and portion of my brain that allegedly enjoys writing. Listen closely and you can hear the cracking and groaning across the Internet, last post nearly a year ago. Life is busy, morphs and moves on.

After a series of misadventures, I find myself unemployed after 15 years with same company. Considering I wasn't exactly digging the last year or so, probably a good thing in the long run. Interviews and poking at possible jobs in progress, looking forward to something new. Having a few weeks off to clear the brain also not a bad result of this opportunity, though loss of income certainly a concern. Hopefully, something cool on the horizon.

On the bike front, been getting out sporadically on the 29er. At times solo, other times with my 16 year old son, the former semi-serious racer. Me on the now 5 year old bargain Sette hardtail that still works for old school me. With 80mm of fork travel and 72 degree head angle, outdated compared to modern trail oriented bikes currently on the market. Feel free to snicker at the 120mm stem and bar ends while you're at it. Son Ian piloting the Santa Cruz Bronson we picked up last summer, great bike and worth considering if you're so inclined.

To finish off this post on a cool note, pictured is a friend of my son with the vintage '97 Specialized FSR he purchased off us a few months ago. I picked it up from coworker pal quite awhile ago, thinking someone on my former junior high mountain bike team would be interested. That never happened and the bike collected dust in the garage.

After loaning the bike a few times to my son's pal to share rides, his dad came over and bought it for him. It's since been used almost daily, with occasional visits to the Stevens Pass mountain bike park. The kid is digging riding and that's all that really matters.

It doesn't matter what you ride, just ride.

Fat Chance is Back - Hello and Good Bye

The bicycle interwebs are a buzzin' with news that Fat Chance is back in action, Chris Chance at the helm.  How cool is that?  Fat Chance still fresh enough - and missed enough - that a launch of new bikes could be successful.  I'd hope so anyway.

Details are sketchy, with mention of Yo Eddy staging a comeback.  The new website features a polling option on what people want see in the returning model.  Vote early, vote often, operators are standing by.  Also appears to be proof the return currently in the early stages.

Me?  I'd vote for the steel hardtail with modern geometry to run a 140mm suspension fork and dropper post, 27.5 wheels, old school colors and graphics.  Bit of old school and new school combo.  Yes please.  Curious to see what develops in the next few months.  My guess is the niche batch of frames to start, manufactured by a higher end US builder.  Time will tell.

Ironically, after 20+ years of ownership, I just sold my Yo Eddy.  Bike was boxed and ready to ship to the new owner, while I read of the Fat Chance relaunch on Facebook.  Mixed feelings about that chain of events.  A deal is a deal however, PayPal account already sporting the transfer of dough.

Freshly washed before the official boxing ceremony.

To add the irony, my Yo Eddy then spotted on the new Fat Chance site, plucked from a Facebook post.  Super cool to see it there...

Bike sold to recoup funds used to supply son Ian with his new rig.  And that's okay.  I'd rather spent time riding with him, then hold on to some old bikes - even my Fat - as its been collecting dust for a few years.  I sold the bike via the FatCogs forum and hope the new owner in Maine is happy with it.  In any case, I also have my '86 Fat Chance that I've owned since new, so still officially in the cult.

As the old school Fat City fan, cool to see Chris Chance involved in the industry once again.  Who knows, maybe this was fate and I'll replace my vintage Yo Eddy with the new modern Yo Eddy.

That story would bring it all full circle with a cosmic spin of knobby tires...

Back in Action - We Ride Again

Even though the ol' blog has been under radio silence for the last few months, there's been a bit of good ol' bicycle activity percolating in the background.  My favorite riding pal - that be my 15 year old son Ian - mentioned some interest in riding again.  This after a year or so of barely riding at all, following many years of riding and racing.  Cool, no pressure - let's get you set up equipment wise once again.

I should mention he's had a crazy growth spurt over the last two years and now stands around 6' 2" tall.  That meant new everything - bike, shoes, shorts - the whole enchilada.  My previous trick of moving parts over to ever larger frames ain't gonna cut it.  Time for something new. To give you some perspective on the recent growth curve, he was racing a 52 cm 'cross bike in 2012.  Welcome to Crazy Town, I'll be your Tour Guide.

On top of the garage full of old Bikes 'N' Parts being too small, he wanted to try full suspension after only experiencing hardtails and 'cross bikes.  Fair enough. The search began with much bike shop cruising and test riding.  Kudos to many Seattle area shops we visited and talked with over the phone, all of 'em super friendly and customer service oriented.  I wanted to buy a bike from a few different shops, just because they treated us right.  Bike shop folks are cool folks, but you already knew that.

Mixed in with this was the 27.5 verses 29er debate.  After numerous test rides, Ian not fully digging the 29er wheels.  No problem, 27.5 it will be. 26" wheeled higher end mountain bikes now on the endangered species list.  And of course, the Trump family we're not, so budget constraints eliminating carbon frames and XTR dreams.

Long story short, Element Cycles scored us a killer deal on a Santa Cruz Bronson.  XL frame to now match his XL frame.  Aluminum model, mix of Shimano Deore and SLX to keep the cost down.  Nice Fox suspension still included.  Six inches of travel front and rear, VPP design for pedaling efficiency.  Cool bike and it rides fantastic.  Ian is psyched and digging it.  He's not the materialistic kid at all, so fun to watch him enjoying this.

Since we picked up the bike a few weeks ago, been hitting our local riding spots.  Saint Edward/Big Finn Hill and Paradise Valley a few times. Besides the occasional noodling around on my 'cross bike, also been a good excuse for me to ride more often.

Video above from recent after work ride, Ian demonstrating some new trail features in our local woods.  Photo below from the same ride.  Some quality Father 'N' Son time via two wheels.

I think we're now officially back in action, will hopefully crank up the blog reports along with it.  Thanks for reading...

Chris Kovarik - Video

Caught this video via Facebook post.  Dude is railing some serious berm action, reminding me a bit of my motocross days.  Nice break from the usual endless jump sessions featured in most videos.

Just keeping my ol' blog alive with a few posts.  Pending some motivation and subject matter to actually write about.  That area of my defective brain been hibernating too long, looking to jump start it soon.

Old School - Spanish Style

Caught this video via Facebook, worth a repost.  Early '90s old school styling - bar ends, fanny pack, top mount shifters, pre-suspension - it's all here.  These dudes can also ride, as you'll discover upon viewing.  Traffic fun in Madrid, Spain - then trials moves in the mountains.  Cool stuff.

Apparently, this is an episode from a Spanish adventure type program.  Click here for full length original version.

Meet The Team Ride - A Call to Roll

Saturday morning, we rolled out our "Meet The Team Ride", looking to round up local 7th - 12th graders for a trail ride and yapping session. Yapping involving spreading the word of our Northshore Composite team and the Evergreen Washington Student League.

We didn't do all that much advertising, usual Facebook announcement, along with a blurb in the Northshore school district emailed news gig.  A few folks emailed for additional info, but overall, not much buzz about it.  We didn't know if five folks or fifty would show on Saturday morning. Event scheduled for 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at our home stomping grounds, Saint Edward State Park.  Fellow league coaches Troy and Marne also signed on to assist.

I slept and left late, riding over to the park and arriving about 9:55 AM.  Few folks waiting at the parking lot.  By 10:15 or so, more folks gathering.  We wound up with 26 people for the ride.  Current student/teammates, new kids, some parents also along for the ride.  Fantastic!

After me blabbing for 15 minutes or so about the team and league, with some additional comments from Troy and Marne - a few questions answered - and off we all rode.  Quite the string of riders.  A cool sight indeed.

Social cruise along the trails of St Ed and Big Finn Hill parks, occasional stopping to regroup.  I rode sweep and chatted a bit with Oliver, 7th grader new to the area.  He's riding the downhill oriented bike, single chainring, large backpack full of who knows what.  He had to push up a few hills, but still seemed to have a good time.

Also towards the back, a father/son combo, in the parking lot by sheer coincidence while we signed folks on - now officially on our ride.  Son from the local high school.  Beginner mountain bikers, complete with toe straps 'n' clips hanging upside down, waiting to grab every trail obstacle.  Even so, they appeared to have a great time and mixed in with the crowd.

Towards the end of the ride, two high school seniors, dirt jumper types - pulled off a bit early - after a great conversation.  They're interested in trying cross country oriented riding/racing and promoting mountain biking at their school.  Very cool.

After about an hour of trail cruising, we're back at our starting spot, ending the ride with a slow race across one of the St Ed's green lawns.  Last one across the line wins, no dabs.  Foot down and you're out.  Matt, current teammate taking the win.  A bit of closing yapping, answering questions, handing out league pamphlets 'n' stickers, and we call it a day.  Photo above as proof, courtesy of coach Troy.

Overall, I'd call the ride a success and expect to see some of these kids on our team come spring...

How to be a Mountain Biker - Video

This video has been bouncing around Facebook between riding pals of mine.  For a good reason - pretty well done and proof real life is stranger then fiction...

Washington Student League - Cool Video

Short video on the mountain bike program I was involved with last spring, coaching and running a middle school team.  A great program to get 7th - 12th graders riding and racing bikes.

Take a peek and get some kids out there...

Washington Student League - Final Chapter for 2013

We now officially conclude our Washington Student League team - Northshore Middle School Composite - for the season.  Well, as of a few weeks ago, call me late to the blogging party.  The "Northshore Knobbies" now shelved until 2014.

We Rode 'N' Raced from March into June, it all went pretty well.  Good group of kids, parents, and adult volunteers.  

Before we pulled the plug, squeezed in a few more outings...

Trail work party on our home trails of Saint Edward - Big Finn Hill.  We had a great turnout, pic missing a few folks who also pitched in.  Pic and work party organization courtesy of Tom Fitzpatrick, who's very involved with keeping mountain bikers welcome on our local trails.  Tom also assisted us on team rides and his grandson was on the team.

Then another team outing to Duthie Hill mountain bike park.  This place always a hit with the kids, young and old...

Ian, that be my son, launches off a practice jump - while Jack watches from below.

Ian, Zane, and Steve hit the berms on Bootcamp - that even makes old school me feel like the flowmaster.  Steve is dad to Jack, and happens to own Recycled Cycles in Seattle.

Andy going with the flow.

Jack shows off his levitation skills.

Ian with a little pre-load jump action.

Dylan brought his DH bike to festivities and showed off his jumping skills.

Only place to go is up.  Old school XC me - no thanks...

Pacific Northwest trees and sunny skies.

Dylan hits the wall ride.

Finally, to cap off the season, team ride at Tiger Mountain.  Tiger is a local classic, 3+ mile steep dirt road climb - then miles of twisty, rooty, rocky, singletrack.  About 14 miles total, the real deal - including the new section at the very top - new school berms and rollers, mixing with existing rough XC trail.  All good fun and fun for all.  Followed by a team meal in Issaquah, nice way to end the season.

Crappy iPhone video of Andy and Ian hitting a section at Tiger.  Better then nothing...

And with that - we're done!  Quickly worded conclusion to it all.  I've never run anything like this before, so learned a lot.  I was extremely lucky and had some cool folks assist with team, couldn't have done this alone.  The kids seemed to enjoy it, they certainly got faster as the weeks progressed.  Parent comments were positive, so all around, think it went okay.

Adios 2013 season, see you in 2014...

Washington Student League - Race # 4

Gather 'round kids, to hear about the final race of the Washington Student League series.  The fourth and final gig held at Washougal Motocross Park, located strangely enough in Washougal, Washington.  Being about a 4 hour drive, all of the team elected to head down a day early, grabbing nearby hotel rooms.  Kudos to the supporting parents who put the time and expense into this race adventure.  I'd also be on that list, Ian and I heading down early for a father/son road trip.

We arrived Saturday afternoon at the track, our first trip ever to Washougal.  Being the ex motocross guy, I was looking forward to checking the place out.  Turned out to be the beautiful plot of land and race course, cool set up.  During the Saturday pre-ride and hanging out with the team, track sound system blasting classic rock.  Time warp for me, place reminiscent of tracks I raced at in Pennsylvania during the late '70s, Led Zeppelin booming across the green grass and brown dirt.  Except now, 30 years later on bicycles and a son of my own.  Time flies.

After the Saturday pre-ride and memory lane throw back, we headed to the hotel to change and grab some dinner.  Most of the team staying at the same place, we assembled for a team dinner in town.  Well, sorta.  No place big enough to seat us all, so we broke into a few groups and split in different locations.  So, more like team walk followed by dinner.  Close enough.

After a cloudy and wet Saturday, race day Sunday was sunny and perfect.  Yes please.  We now switch from rambling dialog to photos complete with rambling comments...

Junior high boys ready to roll.  My "Northshore Knobbies" blinding all in yellow.

Off they go up the semi-steep pavement start. 

Ian leads the team up the start hill.  Go team go... 

Fast high school girl - number 1 plate as proof. 

Andy grabs some air at speed.

Matt bombs the downhill.  Last race of the series, but first race ever for Matt.  Nice job. 

Jack goes with the flow.  Funny, likable kid - fun to have on the team.

Andy pulls off a 6th place finish, best on our team for the day.  Great job! 

Sean out on the Rough 'N' Bumpy course.  None of it on the actual motocross track, but cut across it at times - looping into nearby woods and meadows.  Tough but fun course.

Zane sprints hard across the finish line.  Doesn't matter what place he's in, goes all out.  Great stuff. 

Ian at speed, despite droopy knee warmers... 

Most scenic venue of the series was a motocross track.  Who knew? 

Ian powers over the finish line.  After a fast start, faded towards the back.  I'm still proud of him, mountain bike racing ain't easy... 

Some high school boys looking pro.

Traffic in the S curve.  Film at eleven.

The finishing climb. 

A few of the kids who hung around for the awards ceremony.  Cool, eh? 

After the dust cleared, my team scored second overall for the series.  Fantastic way to end the season.  I'm proud of 'em all.

Great weekend to cap off the series.  Oh yeah, I also raced in the "Coach's Race" held to celebrate the end of it all.  Two painful laps around the bumpy and hilly course.  Ill prepared I was, cruising in for DFL.  Ouch, but still had fun.  Cool way to end the season.

The racing may be over, but we still had a few rides and events on the team agenda.  More to follow...

Washington Student League - Race # 3

The race continues to get this little ol' blog updated.  The racing also continues, well continued, for the fine young lads on my junior high team. Race # 3 of the Washington Student League series took place on May 5th, hence my timely, but aged, report on the festivities.

Without further ado, actual photos and rambling comments about the day...

Under a blazing sun, temps in the 80s to broil everyone.  After the usual chilly Pacific Northwest winter and spring, jumping to 80 degrees not easy.  Hot 'N' Dusty was the order of the day.  Race venue being 360 Park, located in scenic Gig Harbor, Washington.  First time there for son Ian and I.  Always cool to ride somewhere new.

Zane, Jack, and Dylan ponder the start and damage retinas with bright yellow shirts.

Don't tread on me.

Zane battles the heat and dust.  This kid always puts in a great effort - awesome.

Dylan on the attack.  Fantastic effort that earned him a 3rd place podium spot for the day.  Our best team results so far for the series.  Very nice indeed.

My son Ian, showing a glimpse of his former junior level racing form, rode in for 5th place.  Great job.

Jack does a little sand surfing.  Course a mixture of double and singletrack, fun loop to enjoy for all.

Scotty races through the woods in his second ever mountain bike race.

Post race discussion courtesy of Zane, Dylan and Jack.  Yeah, it was hot and tough out there.

A wave of high schoolers hits the course.

This kid is ripping it.  Check out the mini roosts coming off the wheels.  Cool!

Will, member of our partner high school team, with some corner blur action.

Brandon, also on the high school team, looking good.  I dig this pic, if I can say so myself, shooting races is a blast.

Welcome to Wheelie Town, this kid will be your tour guide.

What it's all about.  Will and fellow racer showing some start line good sportsmanship.

Fun day that ended on slightly bad note, my son Ian overdoing it in the heat.  Pre-ride, then race effort, followed by hanging out in the sun for hours, topped off by another lap of the course for the rec ride.  Wheels fell off the wagon during the last ride - toasted and nauseous - so we took the shortest route back.  Water, shade, then loaded him up ASAP to hit the road for home.

After a stop for pizza and more liquids, passed out in the car, and woke up feeling okay.  Yikes.  Besides that little misadventure, a pretty successful day for all.  Mountain bike racing is quite the adventure.