Monday, January 6, 2014

I told you I was gonna do it!

I got my first cyclocross style bike about 4 years ago. It was a Van Dessel Country Road Bob, the Kermit green one with the “S” shaped top and bottom tubes. It was a single speed, and I got it as my first non-conversion SS bike to try it out for both daily riding and also to enter the fixed gear world. I started out our relationship together with it built up as a fixie with 23c tires, bull horns, and worn out Avid canti brakes. I wasn't confident enough to run brakeless as this was my first journey in this new for me riding style.

After getting a Pista, and using that for when I wanted to ride fixed, I converted it back to more of an around the town, bigger tire commuter bike. Ever since that conversion 2-3 years ago, I told myself that this was the year I was going to try and race cross with it. Coming from a strictly mountain racing background, I didn’t think it would be much of a change from what I was used to. I convinced a couple of friends to give it a shot with me, and they seemed to be just as excited about it as I was, until it was time to race. Then the excuses came and another winter passed me by.

In the spring of 2012 I decided to start my search for a geared cross bike because if I was going at this alone, I didn't want to stand out in the crowd on my SS ride. I ended up with a Specialized TriCross Sport, because it was used, in perfect shape at a great price. The components weren’t great but it was a great platform to build on. At least I thought until I started pricing everything out. I kept the bike stock through the summer and did some more research about racing cross witch ultimately ended up in another race season passing by without me racing.

I sold the bike in the spring of 2013 and started working out my short term goal of building a complete custom, everything the way I wanted, super bad ass, cyclocross bike. I explored a few local options from many of Charlotte’s bike shops, and didn’t find exactly what I was looking for. Because I was into city riding and track bikes at this point, Cinelli and their recent uprising in the fixie culture caught my eye. I loved their track frames and started to follow their complete line a little closer. For the 2013 lineup they had the Zydeco alloy frame available, which I liked but the industry was steadily heading towards discs on cross and road bikes. I figured if I was going all in, I wanted to at least keep up with the times and get a disc frame. Then I found out Cinelli was introducing the Zydeco Disc in their 2014 catalog and I was hooked. I found the bike I wanted to build. One problem, no local Cinelli reps. So I asked around and ended up speaking with Steve at Espada in NoDa. We both wanted Cinelli in Charlotte and Steve wanted to be the shop to carry them. So with a handshake and a smile, we placed our first stock order which included my 2014 Zydeco Disc.

This bike ended up beautifully, and had all the components I wanted on it. Steve did a fantastic job with the build, including wheels, and I couldn’t be happier. I know it is “not about the bike” or whatever, but for me this endeavor was. This is the bike that got me posed at the starting line in Hendersonville, NC for my first cross race ever. Not to mention on a full weekend sponsorship from PBR, but more about that later!

The frame before Steve got his hands on it.

Steve taking a caffeine break.

Full Ulterga!

Me on one its first longer rides, the Cranksgiving Charity Alleycat.

Friday, March 1, 2013

OMG, is this the modern UNIMOG?

Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6

We're not sure who it's really for — multi-millionaires with secret lairs miles away from the nearest road, perhaps? — but we do know it's badass. The Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6 (£350,000; roughly $525,000) is the biggest, most rugged offroader Stuttgart's ever produced. As the name suggests, it features six wheels for increased traction, a twin-turbocharged 5.5L AMG V8 cranking out 536hp, a seven-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. It's not all rugged capability, though, with an interior that features copious amounts of leather and Alcantara, sports seats, and other luxurious appointments. Just don't expect to see too many of them — word has it there's only going to be 20-30 built each year.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Charlotte DGR Ride

Check out Eric Flowe's write up here...DGR Charlotte

Icon's new look and feel.

I have never been too big of a fan of Icon motorcycle gear, when if first started to show up, everything seemed really cheap and covered with tribal tattoo designs. It didn't look like it would hold up to daily riding and just didn't appeal to me fashion wise. It seems that very recently they have gone through some re-branding and have a desire to appeal to the adventure rider crowd. They have a new line of tough and fashionable looking gear specifically aimed at dudes like me who wish they could ride their bike across Africa. This video not only shows that they have stepped up their game in this area, but more importantly how versatile the adventure bike is, specifically the Triumph Tiger 800XC. These bikes handles everything these dudes put them threw and took a hell of a beating. Most men would give up anything for an opportunity to take a motorcycle trip like this. At least now we can get the gear to make it look like we are ready. Check out their Icon 1000 site RAD! and look at the bike they have commissioned to help represent their brand. I love the utilitarian look that they have and how they look like they could be something you found in a barn in Back to the Future. They are on the line of works of art in my opinion and together along with this new line of gear has really changed my mind about their brand overall. I hope to check out some of this in person soon, I could use a new helmet and some boots..

Monday, January 9, 2012

How To Lube Your Chain

As if having a rad logo and name weren't enough, Gnar Lube went ahead and got a barbie doll to awkwardly demonstrate how to git r' done:

Sunday, January 8, 2012

If you haven't had the chance to check out Pedalr, you really should. It's an online community, similar to Craigslist, specifically for cyclists where enthusiests, collectors and even shops sell product. Check out more here!
http://www.pedalr.com/landing

Monday, January 2, 2012

Hipster Cycle

This is great, not sure if you will get it if yo don't have uber cool hipsters banging in your town. But even though I support the culture I love the parody.

The new ride in the stable.

I sold the KLX. It was a fun bike, but heavy and slow for trail riding. I bought it before I knew what type of riding I was going to do. When I started riding with Chris Flowe's crew at the super secret Howell Creek Trails near Charlotte, I realized I felt right at home in the woods. This group of 8 dudes all ride MX bikes out there but seem to do really well. This was a big dilemma for me. I love the look and power these bikes have but was unsure it was the proper tool for the job. I threw the question out on ADV Rider and got some good responses...

Here is the thread

I narrowed it down and went and picked up the new scoot last night. I got a 2007 YZ250F, four stroke Yamaha. It looks a little different than your typical blue machine, it is a limited white and black bike with silver graphics.

I am going to take it out for our first ride today, also gonno break out the GoPro HD camera to get some sweet footage. Look for future videos!!!!

Here is a video of Jared Mode riding on the Howell Creek Trails. They are still under construction, so you will see where he pauses to find the correct route.