Holowtop 200

Rode the Hollow top 200 permanent with Jason and Karel. Two of the three Montana Randonners, it was nice having some kindred spirits to ride with. I felt really good for the first 60 miles and then started having some serious leg cramps. We had a great pace going it would have been great if I could have kept up that pace. Backed it down a bit from that point and went into a survival mode and I did. For my longest ride since 07 I am very happy with the ride oh and it went through some really cool canyons the ride from Norris to Belgrade with the tailwind we had was great. Didn't take any pictures because I can't remember where my camera is guess I will have to ride it again next year!

Didn't have any bike issues the 650B set up is working great, thinking about a different saddle the San Marco is good but it is about 20 years old. Adjusted my speedo to the tyres after the ride not having a properly calibrated speedo is very annoying. Also moved my front bag up one notch as I had a hard time reading the route sheet.

Ride time of about 9 hours and a total of about 10. Great weather and a nice route good people to ride with think I will call it a success! Thanks again Jason for organizing the route and riding with us.

jimbo

Positive ranting today!

Two days and two posts! I have had lots to write just not any ambition as no one really reads this but me. The summer is fast fleeting and there are so many places I still want to ride. Been riding the new 29er a bit and still the Sojourn to work. The mileage has been down a bit this year on the bikes and up on the hiking. The picture of the bike in the house is stupid but, does show the bag set up. Not too keen on the handle bar bag on the mountain bike works much better on the Paramount. The seat bag is huge! And not really noticed while riding. The frame pack is the real jewel in this set up as it keeps the weight lower and items like the camera, gps and food close at hand. All of these bags are Jandd and are very well made and durable.

Just discovered that there are several permanents near the cabin and there is to be a partial rando series next year! Yea! I am so excited this is what I am gearing the Paramount for. I have also been getting the 29er set up for longer rides and overnighters. Haven't done any yet nor have I gone touring but, everyday I get a little closer.

Triumph has been at Moto-tech for the last two weeks waiting for a sprocket. What a pain in the ass. Luckily for me and them I have so many toys to play with I haven't really missed it other than more room in the garage. I have some plans to use it for planing routes for RUSA think I might try organizing a permanent or two. If that goes well than may look into being the RBA here. As no one else is really doing anything.

more later

jimbo

Rant

Haven't written much lately but, since there was a rant a bout me on the Hyde park blog I will rant back as he probably wont post my comments. His blog is "rediscover the joy" I never lost it. He is a real piece of work in stead of focusing on the fact that I went out of my way to his shop he is pissed that I didn't buy every thing there. I only overlooked a few items and wanted it right away to ride the bike the next day. Wont trouble him with any more of my "piddly ass shit". He should be happy I came in the door and spent another hundred bucks. Actually I am pissed at myself for not leaving the parts there and waiting for a few days. Anyhow now I have vented and he will not get any more of my money.

Oh what I have done is convert the paramount to a 650B as it is outlined on the Rivendale site. It works great if you have an old racer that measures right it lets you run a fatter tyre with fenders and it is way more comfortable. Have ridden it about 150 miles so far the longest being 67 or so.

More later,

jimbo

Update the post on the Hyde park blog has been removed and he never published my comment. He does have a few new posts that are more positive. He just may have learned something about people and the bike business. Or not, hope other customers have a better experiance than I. Mainly I just hope he doesn't discourage newbee bike riders with a sour puss attitude. We need more riders and happy ones!

Winter riding

Still miss Hayden, she was a great dog.

Yep still riding to work. It's been cold and icy and the studded tyres I bought last year are for the most part keeping me up. Had a couple of falls last week no injuries but, relearning how to read the ice and snow on the roads. The road conditions make the commute more like a mountain bike ride. I am having way more fun than the car drivers. Christmas run this morning not sure how many people will be in our reindeer group this year.

Since I only seem to post about once a month I should wrap up this year. It has been a good year only had to ride the Triumph to work once. Haven't totalled up the mileage this year and probably wont but roughly its about 5000 miles. Good enough. Lots of good hikes this year and started running with Sky some.

Looking into the future of 2009. Think I'll ride my bikes more. Would like to expand my knowledge in Indian food. Plan to read a lot more as we will not have TV in Idaho city after February. Thanks government for forcing digital TV on us. Been looking at mountain bike tandems lately probably don't need one but, probably will have one in the new year. Bikes are fun so you should have one for every occasion. Plan on doing some multi day rides and over nighters. Sure hope Santa gets me a SPOT tracker!

So merry Christmas and happy new year!

jimbo

A Post

Haven't been writing much lately. Life seems to just kind of roll on. As we watch our 401K's dwindle and worry about life's little things an acquaintance of mine is in the hospital with a broken neck. He will probably be paralyzed to what degree we don't know at this point. He was riding with his brother in the Idaho City area (motorcycles) slipped on some ice and head butted a stump. A slow speed accident that could happen very easily to anyone. This guy has ridden probably longer than he has walked and wears all the right gear. Life is a fragile thing live everyday.

Have been reading the biography on Jerry Garcia an interesting read. Bought the Grateful Dead Reckoning CD awesome acoustic stuff. Rode the single speed in Idaho City for probably the last time this year nice little hour cruise on some of my favorite trails. When we left there was about an inch of snow at the house. We will be snowshoeing soon, OK in about a month.

Sky and I have been running trails a bit feels good to run. Running seems to help balance out my muscles and strengthen my core a bit. Fun with the dog but, still rather mountain bike. Joined SWIMBA last weekend after riding a new trail that they built. The watchman trail links five mile creek to the connector trail it is awesome. That's about it for now probably write more in a month or so can't make any promises. Live everyday like it may be your last. Plan ahead in case it isn't though.

jimbo

More riding

Paula has been in Montana for the weekend and I have been riding all the trails in Boise. Well about half of them about 68 miles in two days. Just really enjoying the rides and not feeling any pressure to go race pace, intervals, speed work, heart rate threshold, just flowing with the trails and enjoying the fall weather. Didn't take any pictures if you want to see where I rode you should have been out there. There really haven't been that many people out. Either they are all busy or burnt out on the trails. I ride all over and it was a lot of fun riding the trails in the Boise front as I don't ride there too often. Actually don't feel I have ridden off road much this year. Bought a used set of wheels from Keith Hickerson today don't think they are much lighter but they have better bearings and less spokes look cooler.

later
jimbo

Wow time flies!

Almost a month since the last post. We have gotten Paula's Sojourn and are still getting the necessary accessories for it. Front rack, trunk, speedometer, lights etc. She hasn't ridden it a whole lot but, seems to like the more relaxed riding position and the disk brakes. We hope to ride a little more together this fall.

Rode half Bogus yesterday 51 minutes felt great until mile 6 then faded fast. Still rode on till I hit the one hour mark at about 10.5 mile. Paula drove the truck up and had life saving water and cookies for the guys from the shop. They were slow but, every one made it. Ken's son Tommy was the next person in and he was so happy to have beaten his dad up the hill.

Next weekend I will be in Montana for the last time this year hope to do some hiking and fishing.

jimbo