I figure last night's ride might as well be dedicated to the Sub-24, as the bike dictated some of the route and garnered much attention from FT3 riders. The Sub 24, as it was named last night, is yet another recipient of the great FT3 Collective, including support from Bambi, C-Man and NoCar, not to mention Golden Spoke Bike Shop and Pedro, who initiated all this by purchasing my fixie. The Sub-24 single speed received its name because it went from frame to riding in sub-24 hours, and actually weighs less than 24 pounds, and cost just over 240 dollers. The Frame, which is an old KISH, www.kishbike.com was built special for Bambi, and broken specially by Bambi, two times, until he was cut off. All that said, there was some risk involved in said investment. Not to worry, I am inclined to believe the repairs are solid and I am likely a bit easier on bikes than a 90's fitness Bambi. Speaking of repairs, the sub-24 required a re-route of the proposed route due to some chain jumping. The group that included XTeric, Bambi, B, Safety First, Booker and I all headed back to the lot to institute a repair after a jaunt down the horse trail, under the damn and up a portion of Fleming. The quick repair was classic FT3 and utilized a Suntour rear derail as a chain tensioner, with a rock limiter and electric tape insurance. Bambi literally "rocked" this repair with a smile.
Happy as can be that the sub 24 was now FT3 worthy, the group headed up the Qualifier. Safety First, who made his return from fitness boot camp, held his own on the qualifier. Welcome back Safety. After a failed attempt to find the illusive chopping block trail, we headed for a classic wedding march-qualifier return to the Knott. Luckly none of the riders were decapitated by low hanging foliage on the wedding march. At the Knott we were met by a dashing Lars all decked out in an italian hand made high fashion
suit (unfortunately, not a cycling suit), and a smiling NoCar, who enjoyed his first real ride since the installation of a steel? plate in his shoulder. Welcome back NoCar!Cap'n
The inverted rock-stopped singulator is a piece of genius.
ReplyDeleteI am going to ride the sub-24 into the spoke to today for weigh in, as well as to show off the creative mechanic genious of FT3
ReplyDeleteIt was probably the same FT3er that tampered with the pepper shaker.
ReplyDeleteat the risk of co-opting the HCF, I am obliged to include a brief report of last Sunday's trail recon effort.
ReplyDeleteCappy and I met a slew of riders at Walmart on Sunday morning. Among them were a former IMBA rep and wife on a sweet Tandem, local Friends members, Folsom breakout members, and, of course, FT3. I can't remember my own name, so these folks will be known by their party affiliation.
At least 12 of us started south on the Rail trail. Within the first mile or so, we encountered a great deal of fallen timber and brush. Turns out, Rail members or property owners (or both) took it upon themselves to do a little clear-cutting along the natural trail. On one side of the tracks, the access road was being "widened" and on the other the singletrack was either buried in water or brush. A mess, for sure. One must question the use of heavy equipment in the dead of winter, on already sloppy soil. The access road is all but accessible unless you're on a D8!!
Once passed El Dorado, things improved. Well, sortof. IMBA guru Jim ran over one of said fallen limbs and completely demolished his r derailleur hanger, as well as nearly taking out the der itself. Some equally impressive repairs were performed and then we were treated to a second near catastrophe just a few feet away. Friends rep Mike K locked his tranny up on more debris, and Cappy had to step in for the quick fix.
Once righted, we resumed our trek to West County. A mile later we lost Friends rep Mike K to a now clearly missing rear derailleur. One or 2 more left due to time constraints and the remainders continued on, marking waypoints and taking pictures of the standing water, poor drainage culverts, debris, etc. Yours truly nearly sliced both rear tire and legs with a 2+ foot metal band which was coild up like a snake. I couldn't see it and rolled it right up into my rear triangle. After a careful extraction and some pics, we slogged on.
3+ hours later, our group made it to So Shingle road, and to the house of Breakout member Alan. Said member treated Cappy and I to 1) a cold beer, and 2) a ride home from his wife. They are avid pedelers, and kudos to them for doing their share of trailwork on the more southerly portions of the RR grade.
Good intel was gathered, and subsequent plans are being developed to address the various trail issues; routing, natural trail maintenance, drainage, etc. The next effort will start from SO Shingle and continue on into Folsom.
Finally have phone and internet service back, with a work commute and the VP presentation going well last week it's like I have a real job.
ReplyDeleteA relatively warm January evening, full moon and new rig rollout, I missed a good one.
I plan on getting back in the groove and getting my attendance record back up.
With the all props for Golden Spoke, I think we should take and frame a team picture with a thank you note; they've certainly come through for the crew on numerous ocassions.
"same street gang as Thomas"?
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you guys put in some trail work time, I definitely want to be involved in future efforts.
The FT3 class photo would be hilarious. We should all be facing away from the camera, bent over our bicycles, displaying the GS logo. That way any absentees won't be recognized and deprived of discounts.
I am enjoying a nice long read and feeling sorry for myself for missing out on so many great efforts and events(bike build, trail recon, FT3 ride, crank arm theft etc).
ReplyDeleteMy absence will continue for a while. Nice work NoCar + Job on the roll up and thanks for the right up C'man. Cappy, what gearning did you end up rolling with on the Sub24 Kishy.
I'm eating a very hot burrito, having some water and road a spin bike tonight. You know that just doesn't feel much like Taco Tuesday.
I must have just missed B on the Rail Trail last night, granted I was on foot and armed with a headlamp, and could have easily been missed. Total agreement with the brush placement concerns. My heart sank as I came to the location of the heavy equipment trail destruction. This is an absurd use of this trail and is just plain frustrating!
ReplyDeleteIt's my belief this was a shotgun affair. Why now? What are their long term intentions for the remaining 2 miles of "rail" line? What are/were the plans for dealing with said brush/debris? Hauling it away with a vehicle would be tough what with the mud bog they created. Burning is an option, but homeowners might be Leary of flames licking at their fencelines. Ill-conceived at best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Thomas reference. As a father of 2 boys I am all too familiar with the island of Sodor, Thomas, Percy, James and the gang. Too f'n funny.
It's quite possible. We cut and cleared some stuff between Blanchard and the town of El Dorado. We throw it off the trail or on the other side of the tracks. That would be a true shame if it's devolved into such childsplay.
ReplyDeleteTo my knowledge, the Co own the right of way. The Joint Powers Authority oversees it's use, and I believe they have been working out a lease with the Folsom rail folks. Non sure if the Diamond group (aka Thomas and friends) has such an arrangement.
No sunday call out? Tried to ride the road bike today, no dice with the wrist injury. Flat bars are ok but I cant do road bars so no sunday ride for me.
ReplyDelete