Dues

A few years ago I went on a ride with a bunch of guys to Arkansas to ride the Womble Trail.

One guy brought a walmart bike. He bought it a few days before, then used some sander or something to take all the graphics off so it was just like brushed metal, kinda cool looking actually.

Then he threw on some clipless pedals, just some spd's he borrowed from a friend and he had his bike!

He then out biked guys on bikes like the trek liquid or something. I was very impressed! That was also my first big mountain bike trip and I was riding my 2003 Specialized Hardrock with flat pedals, and even that surprised a ton of people when I beat them back to camp!

So yeah, whenever I get some friends turned on to mountain biking, I urge them to start low, if you are serious, then a bike that costs 350-400 will get you through, and if you decide you don't like it, at least you didn't spend 2 grand!

That's also how I justify buying my latest bike. Last May, I bought a 2006 Specialized Epic. It was a year old, but brand new from my LBS. $1500 when it was listed as $2200. So I got it.

I also got it because I feel I've earned my right in a way. I've paid my dues. Sure I may be a little portly around the midsection and all, but you (well probably not you) would be surprised at how I outride guys who have much more "muscle" than me.

But that's a little off topic.

Look, get a cheap bike only $3-400 will work. Take it to your trails, if you don't like it, at least you have a nice bike you can use forever because those bikes are pretty solidly made.

What bike did you start on?

Nick MTB

This is the first thing I've ever edited. What do you think? Oh, and this was a few years ago on Avid Xpress Pro.

[Your] Mountain Biking

There was a really cool site started recently called YourMTB.com. But unfortunately, the group that started it, had to get out of the business and sell it. Luckily for us, it's still maintained but it's sad to see our leader go.

This is a site where it's all about showcasing you. You upload photos, they get featured! You write articles! Reviews! Post videos!

I thought it was a really great idea, but I guess that niche specific group is hard to maintain. But go over there and check it out. Let me know if you join! My name on their is "epicmike."

*Update*

The Enthusiast Group has been acquired by The Kisco Group

Looks like YourMTB will be around longer! I'm sorry, I've been out of the loop myself!

Remembering warmer times

Oh, and yes, I drive a minivan.

I love my van! I think I need to post some pics of my new stickers. I guess I talk mostly about my ride that I forget to talk about my "ride."

It's got plenty of room for gear, it's cozy, sleeps two... it even gets decent mileage!

Do you guys/gals throw your bikes on the roof of your car, the hitch of your van, or the bed of your truck?

When am I getting out?

I know I know....

I was thinking maybe this weekend, I was going to brave the 33 degree hi, but my father in law is coming to town so that's my excuse.

But check out the weather in Tulsa this week.

What's the coldest you've biked in?

Oh so dirty...

Yeah, my bike is pretty dirty right now.  Oh, and now, I didn't get to ride yesterday, I'm sorry...

But how do you guys/gals clean your bike?

For my chain, I use the Park Tool Chain Gang chain cleaner.  I think it's a pretty nice way to clean my chain and it looks so smooth afterwards!

For the degreaser, I've been using some Pedro's citrus degreaser and it works really well.  Plus I love the smell of oranges!

To lube my chain up after it's all clean, I got some White Lightning Lube but it's actually more waxy I've noticed.  It works well to repel the water and mud or dirt.  I'm happy with it.  It gets the chain flowing nicely.

Now, for cleaning the bike itself, I don't have a really special process, but I did buy one of those pesticide sprayer things, you know, the one you pump and then spray the wand around?

Well, I fill it with water, then soft spray all the chunks of dirt or mud off the big, then use this really soft brush I got for a car at Walmart and brush away the rest of the dirt and spray again, then air dry and dry with a towel.

It gets a decent shine out of it.  

Since I need to clean it, maybe I'll post some pics, but it's getting cold now and it's dark when I get off work... we'll see!

Bike, Blogs, Beginnings.

I made this blog to help me get back on the saddle.  Things have gotten busy, and the weather has gotten cold, but that doesn't mean you can't bike.

Heck, I even got some knee warmers for Christmas so I could talk myself into riding more!

Some things I hope to accomplish through this blog.

- I want to start bike commuting to work.

I work about 8 or 9 miles away, and I can ride almost the whole way on a paved sidewalk along the Arkansas River.

- I would like to get back into shape and lose some weight.

Do not confuse this with some new years resolution!

- I would like to make some new friendships through mountain biking and strengthen some old ones.

Being busy, I have unfortunately some dear riding friends and I hate to disappoint.

Well, that's about it!

Why do you ride?

I ride mostly for enjoyment.  Forget the exercise.  I just love blasting through some singletrack and pumping my legs to get up some root covered hill.  Getting some dirt thrown in your face as you race a friend.  Creek crossings that cool you off.  

It's that feel good feeling.

I miss it more than I can even know.  I see my bike, hanging on the wall.  I don't want to become a Seinfeld.  Maybe tomorrow.  Maybe tomorrow I'll go.

No, I really think I will!  

Ok, it's late.  I'll let you know how it goes.