Here is my new Ho

I am sorry but I left out the "e." It's the latest in trail building implement, called a Rogue Hoe. Perfect for benching. Interesting how these ship in the mail.

Supposedly, these are far better than a pick mattick or a McCloud. Can't wait to try it out this weekend.

Reconstructing Lambert: Leftovers

A few leftover parts from the Lambert. The original wheelset, bars, levers, rear brake and a little parts bucket of bolts and washers from the chain ring. Not pictured is the stem but I won't be using that as well.

Fat Chance Yo Eddy 69er Mullet

While walking P-Valley with the State's Land manager, James Beschele, I shot a bunch of pictures of this mountain biker coming down the red trail. It wasn't till I downloaded the pix and wanted to get a closer look at the bike that I noticed it was rigid. The next thing I noticed is that it looked like it had a bigger tire up front! What's this? A Fat Chance Yo Eddy 69er and mullet to boot - disc brake up front and a V-Brake in the rear.

I know this bike! I was talking to the owner earlier this year when I noticed another rigid riding brother. After checking his bike out, I noticed that he was running it mullet style with a Surly 1x1 fork, so I suggested that he put a 29er wheel on it because it will fit perfectly. Looks like he did it! I don't recall the owner's name but I think he lives in Trumbull.

Here is a sequence shot of him after crossing the stream.

Spring Skiing!

Last weekend's storm combined with the unseasonably warm weather really took it's toll at Ski Sundown since the last time we were up there. Spring conditions prevailed. My daughter Katie had a turtle neck on before lunch and it gone when we hit the slopes after feeding our faces. Shorts were perfect for the conditions although I started out with a T-shirt, waffle shirt and micro fleece running shirt. The T & the Waffle came off, too.

Katie with her Grand Dad on Gun Barrel. After the first run on one of the green slopes she had enough and stuck to blues and black diamonds the rest of the day.

Hill Fix

First time out this year on the fixie and while I wanted to ride at least 20 miles but I had to settled for 7 instead. So I made up for the lack of distance by riding a greenway with some awesome hills. It's called the Middlebury Greenway and it encompasses an old Trolley bed from the 1900s that went from Waterbury to Woodbury. The Middlebury Greenway is all there is left to remember this line and as you can see from the profile, there were a few steep inclines.

Pulling a 25 lb trail-a-bike with a 30 lb kid made the workout all that much better and enlightening. Like heading down the first steep incline and applying reverse force on the pedals I was maintaining a controlled descent when my chain dropped! That has got to be one of the scariest feelings riding a fixed gear - all of a sudden your primary means of slowing or stopping just disappeared and now I am picking up speed because I am on an incline. Woo Hoo! Fortunately, my safety and for anyone that might be riding back there (son or daughter) I always have a hand break.

Another thing bothering me was when ever I was climbing the bars would move to the right. I know there is a lot of tension on the frame while crawling up the hill but this is the first that I have seen that. I actually had to stop, get off the bike, and straighten the bars about 3 times.

A little snack in the flats

It seems with my first two kids, riding was all about the snack. With this one, it's about the ride (and the playground at the end of the ride).

Get ready for the last climb

Mile marker rest stop