Winter 1X9 Project Complete

This means that winter should be over now. I wanted to try something different this spring. A 1X9 is a bike with a 9 speed drivetrain. It has a single chainring in front and a 9 speed cassette in the rear. A bash gaurd and an N-gear Jump Stop keep the chain in place (I hope). I sold the frame from the full suspension bike I was riding last year. This bike was built from parts from the remaining from that bike and Bike Masters Garage Sale parts. Seems to work well on the bike repair stand. Looking forward to getting it on some dirt.
Click on the bike to see more...

Point Reyes

Wheel of CBSO

The wheel building class was full to capacity last night at Community Bike Shop Omaha. The class started at 6PM and ended at 9PM. Instructor and long time Bike Mechanic, Gary Gebhard started with a history of wheel building. After getting some pointers to get started it was all hands on. Some students brought parts to use and others disassembled/reassembled the shops wheels. I started with a Shimano Deore XT Hub, 32 spokes from Bike Masters and an old, beat up MTB Sun Rim to build my wheel. The Lacing part was easy. The online and book research I did on wheel building before the class helped. Truing, not so much. I got some pointers from Gary on making the wheel less wobbly and it turned out ok. If you have a chance to get in on some learning at CBSO I would recommend it.

Post "Trek Up The Tower" Ride

The view outside from the top of the First National Building was worth the torture of climbing the steps. While recovering in the lobby I noticed the flags outside indicating no wind. Dave N. looking at his mobile device says the temp is 28. These are good conditions for a ride in eastern NE during the "Winter of 2010". So we rode. Dave's magic mobile device shows the path . The trails were somewhat plowed until we got to 24th street. The snow we did ride was not deep enough to slow us down much. So we made a loop around the trailer park and headed back. Great winter ride, Thanks Dave.

I survived my first "Trek Up The Tower" in 2010

This was more physically demanding than I thought it would be. Right now my body hates me for the mid February torture of climbing 40 floors, 870 steps, and 633 feet into the sky. Team Bike Masters was there in force - Dave N., Darren, Lynn and Pat F., Todd W. and myself. The event was very well organized. I heard they accommodated 1200 participants and it seemed like everyone was having a great time. I finished in 439th place with a time of 11:26. At least three on the Bike Masters Team had times around the 7-minute mark. I’ll try to improve my time next year. Dave N. did a great job getting this put together for Team Bike Masters.

For more information on the Trek Up The Tower event click here.

Here are a few photos I took today.

February Ride

Dave likes to get at least one ride in a month so we'll call this the 'February Ride'. There were some flakes and some snow falling too. Rode the Big Papio and through some neighborhoods. Great to get outside and clink some beer bottles after the ride. Maybe Old Man Winter didn't like it but Mike, Dave and I did.

If you weren't sick of winter yet...

...here's dirt in your eyes.

Central HS - Road Show 2010

These are some clips from the 96th Annual Road Show at Central High School. Also, Central H.S. is celebrating 150 years of excellence (1859-2009).







There are some photos here.

THOR needs You!

If you are interested in local dirt trails please attend the annual THOR meeting Sat., February 6. All are welcome.


DATE: SATURDAY FEB 6
TIME: 10AM - NOONish
PLACE: National Park Service, 601 Riverfront Dr., (just south of the new pedestrian bridge on the
river front)

DIRECTIONS:
From CB, take the Old Market exit off of the 480 bridge. Take right on 10th and then an immediate right on Capitol Ave and then a left on Riverfront Dr, behind the Qwest Center.

From Omaha proper, take Dodge all the way downtown to 10th street and go under the interstate ramp and follow the above directions.