Wednesday Peddler Ride

What a sweet ride. got in a few miles prior riding down to my buddy Rey's house and then back up north to meet up with the rest of the crew. Up Mt. Bonnel to the Dry Creek Saloon. What a sweet place. Drinking beers along the way. Had a beer there and then continued down the north side of Mt Bonnel, crossed FM 2222 and then continued north up and down a bunch of hills.

Has to be one of the sweeter rides I've been on since moving to Austin. Laid back, good people, and beers. Gotta love it. Really glad I stopped by the Peddler after riding the greenbelt last Saturday. If I didn't I wouldn't have been on this ride. Gotta thank Jeremey for getting this thing going.

Fixed Gear Good for the Knees?!

I am sure you've heard it, fixed gear riding will kill your knees. Its always being said and I am sure there is some truth to it. lots of kids, see it all the time here in Austin, are riding track bikes on the street with track gearing and no front break. huge gearing that causes them to have to mash on the peddles and stopping that rear wheel with all that angular momentum must put some crazy stress on the knees.

i even had a saleswoman in Berkeley refuse to talk to me about a 1x1. "your going to destroy your knees" "did a singlespeed destroy your face?" well, i guess i won't be buying a bike from your shop then.

only problems or pain i've had with my knees is when they hit the dirt from crashing. in fact, it seems as though i've had less lower back pain than i used to, too. my guess is i used to love trying to push a big gear.

well, my man Sheldon Brown has an article by a guy who says fixed gear riding actually cured his cycling induced knee pain, gonna have to paste it but check it:

http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed-knees.html

Sub 70 degree temps!

Wow, I forgot what this feels like. Who'd ever though that temperatures in the high 60's would feel cold. Tara even had to wear a fleece jacket this morning. Great day for riding to work. Only problem if this weather keeps up there goes my excuse for jumping in a car. the brooks is breaking in real nice and is super comfortable. Already had to tighten it. Seems as though its breaking in real quick. Got soft as hell on the ride Sunday, but that was due to rain. Been proofriding in every 2-3 rides so that is probably helping it.

Tuesday night cross and mtn bike races coming up at the del valle motocross park. Should be sweet as its under the lights.

http://www.advmxpark.com/id82.html

Sweet Weekend

bunch of riding this weekend. urban cross ride with my buddy Rey on Friday. Rode by Zilker Park and heard some music pouring out of the Austin City Limits Festival. Didn't get any tickets this year, although there were some acts I really wanted to see on Sunday, mostly Damien Marley.

Got to hear some good music this weekend though. WEnt and saw the Ephram Owens quintet last night at the Elephant Room. my favorite was when they played red clay by charlie hubbard.

http://www.ephraimowens.com/

Went on a sweet mtn bike ride yesterday. Figure all in all it was about 10 miles road and 18 miles of dirt. hadn't riddent the greenbelt in a while and I got worked. Super fun.

On the road today out to Buda with a new buddy Jeremy. Pretty nice to ride with someone who only had one gear. killer head wind heading out on congress, kept thinking the breakfast tacos were going to make a second appearance. the rain came down in Buda, but then it cleared for smooth sailing with the wind at our backs. Ended with a pitcher and some bugers. Sweet. Jeremy works at the peddler, a newish shop here in Austin.

http://www.peddlerbike.com/

Austin Moonlight Cruze

The annual moonlight cruz. starts off at 2 am, lamar pedestrian bridge. There was even a bunch of ravers at the start. Around town with a couple stops. few hundred people riding around. finished at a parking garage near the capitol at about 4:30am. sweet.

Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek is fucking sweet! Tight, fast singletrack, lots of turns, and short up downs. A lot of the turns are burmed too.

Cat

This little kitten came by our house. Fed it. Came in the backyard as we were grilling, hung out, spent the night, and seems like she wants to stay. Lefty Lucy, for her clouded left eye.