To Fred or not to Fred

 Whats in a name continues to taunt me.   Well at least as much as how to get from the West side of Little B to the East Side.  Haven't felt that out...of....navigational control on an MTB in a Loooong time.  Kept ending up at the horse trailer lot in the NW corner of Little Ben.  

 For my own future reference: LB Trail Map

 

Otherwise some rides to get Fred (TBD) a bit more tuned and ready.  I think the saddle is a tad wide unfortunately.   And the Stem may need to be swapped down to a 80MM from 100.  2CM is a hair shorter than an inch.  Not really sure, I am strongly debating a Pro Bicycle Fitting session or two at this point.   It feels odd, but maybe finding out the right setup at this point is smart.  Hopefully it just works on this monstrosity that is Fred.

Looking a Rack and Pannier setup for commuting next.    I'm pretty set on a Ortlieb Quick Rack as I can take it off with no bolts in like 15 seconds.   Pannier/Bag wise....I'm really a bit stuck Ortlieb is a known quantity but I don't love the Vario setup.  In general a backpack is not super necessary in my view....somewhat.   Two Wheel Gear has a few really slick well divide bag/pack setups I like that are a tad cheaper.  I like the extra organization as my pack has lots of small/random things. (Chargers, Cables, Badges, Tools, Junk, Meds, etc).  For now I think I'm gonna order the rack.  Do some more research.  Arkel also has some cool stuff but more Canadian Bucks than even Ortlieb!  Jeez!   

 

Detail on Fred.  UDH and the sweeeet welds.  And oh yah the Farce RD.   

Zoom Zoom time to roll back up Mt.Doom Trail to Rivendell.   

 Fred....for now.... 

 

Whats in a name?

 So yes things have arrived.  Here's a thirst trap:

 

But now the REAL struggle begins.  What's in a Name?  I think a lot.  I've named many of my bikes and cars and such since being a kid.  Sure most of the time the name was "GDFPOS" or "HeavyAssCrapBMX" or such.   But of late I've generally felt a strong relation to naming them with Characters or Things aspirationally.  The CX ride has been Ichigo now for probably 6 or 7 of it's 10 year life mission at least.   The other day I was thinking about names like:

• Savage\The Savage
• TheFuture
• Fred
• BlueZombie
• Kitt\KnightRider
• Cobra Commander
• Sheppard
• The Normandy

More thought required.   Hopefully the right pedals arrive today.  These things are....trrbl.

 

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, there is always.... OOOOH YEAH!

 

Delivery imminent. 

Heck, I'd be more excited but honestly I'm wiped with how busy I've been at work.  Hell I forgot to order new pedals.  And light mounts.  Etc.  Etc.   Some are solved.

Go Avenga's

Finally, got 2 updates on the new hoopty, got a update frame was finished and they were doing graphix.  Now I just got the update that they are in the Ass-Sembly stage.  Go Avengers!

 

 

 

New Ride by end of next week?  ohhhhh yah!  Call me the Kool-Aid Man.

Wakefield on the 4th - Trails weren't too bad, say 90% but freeze thaw is around.  Low wet area's were wet'ish even 2 days later.   It was COLD AF by 9.  With windchill - say 25F.   Ugh. 

No Snow No Ice, just Rain

 Yuck 

 That is the only word to fit the commute this morning.  34 and cold rain.  Yuck.

 

No Snow.  No Ice.  Studded tires.  Bad Shifting (errr cassette not properly torqued I suspect) and brakes?  What Brakes!  the rotors on the 2 wheel sets are...radically different.  Like hugely.  I could barely get the discs in between the pads.  The rotors on the main set must be near EOL on thin-ness.  Holy crap.

 

Day 13 - Patience is a virtue.   

 

Off to re-tune my pad spacing, at least it's easy with TRP cable discs.    

Flo - rider

 Down in the FLA for the big bird day this week.  Not too bad honestly.  Though ask me after round 2 of christmas light work today and I may have a different answer.  

 

 What is the saying about the watched pot never boiling, same goes for bikes:

 

Hopefully the hit the green light on this and get up to speed post holidays.  Should be here before the fatman rolls in next month so I understand.  Hoping to get it by mid-month to get some solid epic rides in over the holidaze.

 Was hoping to get a longer ride in today, probably limited to some neighborhood hot laps.  Hopefully I start the GPS this time.  Missed almost first 4 miles on the ride on Monday.  Stupid watch GPS.  :) 

Commutes 2025

 Just had a moment to spend pondering my commutes this year so far.  Today was my 69th day of commuting in by bike.  I generally work 2 days a week where I can commute, 1 at VA Office where I can't and 2 at home.

I figure out of 52 weeks in a year, 2 are out due to holidays, 2 to vacations, 2 to travel/events, and 2 to truly nasty weather.   46 Weeks would be 92 Rides.   So mod to 90 rides.    This year I should be at 75 to almost 80 depending on how I stretch things.   With more travel and a few other things on the horizon (Meeting offsite tomorrow on a normal commute day for one).

 Put a new waxed chain on Betty earlier this week, on the CX bike it's been amazing so far.   It's soo much cleaner.  

 But MTB will be the test, the old GX 12 Speed chain was a bit over due at 540 miles in a bit over a year.   I can see I may try and get more MTB riding in especially this winter in MoCo.  We shall see.  

 It's also time to re-lube the waxed chain on CX bike, its at over 400+ miles since july and it's due!  Got a bottle of Silca Super Secret Stuff and will dope it this week.  No commute tomorrow and off to see an awesome show tonight.  Woot.

204 on Friday.  Not shabby.