Riding Mountain Rides...

It's probably been about 10 years since some of the original RRR boys spent a September weekend riding the trails at Riding Mountain. That particular weekend was notable for Mike's comment about how "epic" the ride Brad had chosen for us to ride was. It wasn't meant to be a compliment. The soggy, grassy, boring trail, combined with intermittent rain and a waist deep crossing of a slough made for a memorable day for all the wrong reasons. If I recall correctly, Brad spent the last 10km of the ride sulking off the front of the group after Mike's less than flattering appraisal of his trail selection, leaving the whiners to drag themselves back to the campsite. (he may not have been sulking, but that's what us whiners chose to believe...)

Well, if RRR ever decides to re-visit RMNP for another team bonding experience, they can at least be assured of a great trail to ride, courtesy of the Manitoba Escarpment Trail Society. Many readers out there are no doubt already familiar with the work METS are doing to develop great singletrack along the escarpment on the Eastern edge of the park. For the rest of you, check out their Facebook page...

Happy Birthday to You, SOB

Another year older, but still kicking ass and taking names. 

Barn Cross In Moving Pictures

If for some reason you missed it, like if you live under a rock or in a barn, here's a video recap of Barn Cross. For all you haters, Barn Cross proves that all is right in the world.


Barn Cross 2012 from dnb on Vimeo.

Good job on the vid, D.

Barn Cross Update

Expect temps of around zero inside the barn, a sandy surface, a tight twisty course with many interesting features (such as the beloved whoops), and good times. See all y'all tomorrow.

Barn Cross

A hurt locker kind of race, but this one will smell sort of different. Guaranteed fun for just $10.

He Said/She Said

Top Ten of 2011

After reading The Cycle Chic's top ten list, I was inspired to write my own. So, with apologies to Andrea for ripping off her format, here it is.

Top Ride
November trip to Coach Bill's cottage in Pinawa. Riding trails in November after a busy cx season was a gas. And Bill made pancakes.

Top Bike
My Crosscheck. I was unfaithful during cross season, seduced by one lighter, sexier and cooler who promised Truelove. But like many such flings, it didn't work out so well. So I am back with my first love. With a new lighter fork and a brake upgrade, it is sweeter than ever. And I will never be unfaithful again.

Top Badass
Dallas Sigurdur. No explanation required.

Top Douchebag
Pretty much everyone who drives an Escalade. I ride all the time and thankfully dangerous episodes with vehicles are a rarity for me. But almost every time there was an incident this year, it was with some dumb ass driving an Escalade. If you own one and aren't a douchebag, maybe you should think about getting a different showy pretentious car.

Top Local Race
In a year of great events this took some thought, but I have to pick the New Year's Eve cx throwdown. I didn't have to do any work to make it happen, riding for fun with friends was a great way to close out a great year, and I beat The Awesome One. That won't likely ever happen again.

Top Playlist
Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan. It is my favorite Christmas album. And she's dreamy; She can skate away on my river anytime.

Top Gym
My basement. It's a bit grubby, my old steel plates are rusty, I have black plumbing pipe in the floor joists for pullups and a home made wooden squat rack. Very old school Rocky. And you can't beat the commute.

Top Male Rider
Me. I had my own summer and I won the Butter Belt. Duh. Philippe Gilbert was a distant second.

Top Female Rider
Katie Compton. Apparently she's been winning a lot. And cross is boss.

Top Bike Shop
There are only two shops on my short list for this: Bikes and Beyond and Olympia on Portage. I like both stores; Good staff, good selection and they both are comfortable places for me to hang out and visit. So it's a tie.

Special Bonus Category, Best Group Ride
Everybody knows there is only one place to be Tuesday nights. A TNR is always the highlight of my week.

A Sort of Resolution

2011 has come to an end with me sitting on the couch, watching the Jets, and stuffing my face with all things that go with sports TV. My resolution—get fat as a means to get skinny.

Getting this project off the ground has taken a bit longer than I had hoped, but things are coming together. Using parts that I have laying around and previously forgotten about, the build is nothing special, but should be reliable. One more hour or so to complete the build and "The Joker" will be ready to roll.

Thanks to Larry for hooking me up with his first-generation Purple Pearl Sizzurple Pugsley FF and wheels. It's the shzzit.