The sixties are baaaaaack, man!!

So says the Crazy Eddie of Single Speeds up in Framingham, MA. If the '60s are coming back, does that mean they'll bring back the Mud Shark?

I wonder if Phil is trying to become the next Sheldon Brown? Anyway, when I saw these Weinmann DP18s in orange with orange hubs I new I had to get them for the Death Fork! After a quick email exchange resulting in Phil's phone number I pulled the trigger on this wheelset and got some good rubber to go with.

So it looks like IROs Track hubs I got last summer are now on the table. Shoot me an email if innerested in these babies. Thinking $75 (+ship). I am about to have a second fixie in the stable!

Tools and Lube

Got this in an email from Bicycle Warehouse and thought it was funny. Reminded me of some website of ill repute.

Ice Dreams

Took the 'Horse to Trumbull and met up with some friends for nearly a 3 hour ride in 25 degree temperatures. Again, dressed right for the conditions it's a blast. The main trails are well packed down and traction is never an issue.

Upon getting on the bike at the Commuter Lot I noticed that my fork was really squishy and after one big compression there was a lot of oil on the stancheon. Oh, oh! Looks like I might have a bad seal. Yikes! I wonder if yesterday's ride in the cold, or the drive down could have effected the seals in some what. Thankfully I have a lockout, which gives me 3 inches of travel upfront and that was more than enough. Looks like the 'Horse is headed back to the shop this week.

Here is what the main trails looked liked. It was like a groomed XCountry ski trail, only for bikes. Never a worry for traction and very smoother riding.

That's me in the Bat Cave. Rode some new stuff that I never knew was there and some trails that I haven't been on in year. The snow is the universal equalizer.

Rolling the new bridge on the blue trail

How cold will you go?

It was 14 degrees when I got up this morning and jonesin for a ride but that seemed to be just too cold. So I waited a few hours and when the thermometer read 19, I got suited up. Overbooties are a must, lobsters of course, polar fleece snowboarding shorts keep my posterior toasty warm, wicking t, waffle shirt, and my windstopper fleece; and yet 20 minutes later I was sweating everywhere!

No one has ridden at Upper Paugussett besides myself since last Wednesday. I tried following the ATV tracks to see where they came out on the blue trail and they were all over that trail.

Those are people walking down the center of the Pond Brook inlet. I guess with the constantly below freezing temperatures these past two weeks ponds and lakes will be frozen but I still don't like the idea of walking out on the ice.

Riding the 'Horse in the snow

I got my Iron Horse back from the shop about a week ago after having the brakes redone which included new pads and a new rear rotor. Also had the rear derailleur put back on after waiting a month for new hangers. That's one of the drawbacks of buying a bike and then a year later having the manufacturer go out of business. Luckily, I have the 2007 MKIII, apparently the rear triangles on the 2008 are known to fail and unless you got your bike from Randal Scott you are not getting a replacement rear triangle. I did seem them, however, on eBay.

The first thing I noticed after riding rigid for the past two months is how smooth the bike is. Having a range of gears to chose from made riding in the snow seem easy. Of course, temperatures were perfect for snow riding. Two to three inches of snow but not compressed enough so that it would turn to ice.

I tried something new on this ride, I brought a hex tool and a water bottle. If I got a flat, I am a 10 minute walk from home, so why bother bringing all that extra hardware? It's not like I am not accustomed to doing the walk of shame numerous times out of this forest.

Tried something new with the clothing, too. Given that it wasn't windy and the sun was out I opted for only two layers underneath my hunting jacket, which by the way is the warmest, fleece jacket that I have ever owned. I also just wore the lobsters and while my hands sweated some it was just cold enough that they didn't overheat.

The big let down of the ride came when I discovered ATV tracks on the Upper Gussy Trail. It looks like I am now going to have to do some serious rerouting and putting up trail blocks here and there to discourage them from riding on it.

The ATV'ers didn't ride the whole trail so I still had some virgin powder to ride and it was dreaming. The whole Gussy trail seemed like buff singletrack.