Yes, I just got a call. I yelled "CARTWRIGHT, CARTWRIGHT". Just like that. Nobody came, I hang up.

Not much really going on. I've been slowly getting some time in riding, and I really need to get some more running in.

One thing about having different bikes to choose from, you actually end up having less time one each bike to ride.I'm having a blast on the Paragon. And I've made some upgrades to the yellow road bike, and put some miles on that.

The drawback to putting saddle time on those bikes, was that the orange fixed was being neglected. Actually, it's been getting neglected since just before winter. In fact, prior to this past Sunday, it still had cyclocross tires on it from last fall. I checked my SportTracks log and sure enough, the last time I rode it was the Almanzo Micro-CX race on 11/6.

In the process of upgrading the yellow roadie, I eBay-ed a set of brand new Nashbar pedals that replace the freebie clipless pedals that were donated to me 3 or 4 years ago. I slapped those puppies on the orange fixed, swapped the tires for more roadie acceptable sneakers and hit the road for a spin yesterday morning.

That was actually a really nice ride. I forgot how much I really enjoy riding that bike. The frame material combined with a good riding position makes for a bike I like spending time on. Not that I don't like spending time on the yellow roadie, it's position is a little more agressive and after some rides, I end up a little crooked.

I did have little reminders that I don't can't coast with a fixed gear. I guess that's what happens when you've spent so much time away from it. Definitely going to have to schedule in some more time with it this year.
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The next Danny Mac? Amazing bike trick.

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Wow, this guy is amazing! I just watched this video about 10 times to see how in the world he does this. I'm speachless.
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Thumbs up for Rock & Roll!!!

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I am now totally inspired to get better at riding my bike. Love it!

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The next chapter of TOMS One for One...

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I'm not sure what it's going to be, I know I think it SHOULD be toothbrushes and/or bikes (duh!). You can post what you think it should be by creating your own box online at thier facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/toms?sk=app_172797272779264.

Stay up to date at TOMS.com/NextChapter.

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Trek - Gary Fisher Collection | 2011 Paragon

2011 Trek Paragon Hello mountain bike racing fans.

Brand new with reflectors and no pedals

So I took the Paragon out for a couple rides this week. I'm pretty pleased with what I got.

The handling of the bike is great. The G2 geometry must really work. Slow speed steering seems correct and high speed riding is stable. The big wheels seem to hook up better then what I remember of 26 inchers.

Added the Team TOMS Cycling name tag.

2011 Trek Paragon Hello mountain bike racing fans.

The brakes are exactly how they should be. Great feel in the levers, easy to modulate and stop quickly.

Rear disk and caliper. Don't mind the pie plate, I have since removed it. Keep you derailer adjusted correctly and you don't need it.

The 3x10 drivetrain works well enough, but I think it would've made sense to go 2x10. It would save a little weight and I think you can get the gearing pretty close to where you need it. That may be a future upgrade.

It's a triple

10 speed. G2 Geometry.

I was pleasantly surprised with the saddle. It's comfy, and it has some grippy that helps on climbs.

The Paragon set up and ready to ride.

Out on the trail.

The only complaints I have are with the cockpit. Specifically, the bars and the grips. The bars are a little odd in that they have a 12 degree bend. I set them up so that my hands are in a natural position when I'm seated, but when I stand or hover my hands feel at an odd position. I seem to notice that I get a little carpal tunnel after a half an hour of riding. Nothing major, but not comfortable.

I thought I would like the grips. The are narrow, which I like. But they are not really 'soft.' I know, most narrow grips are not very cushiony. But I'm not really talking cushion only, they seem almost like cheese graters or sandpaper.

Both these issues are easily remedied. I have a friend that will swap some 5 degree bars with me. And I'm gonna remove the grips and use bar tape. Then I can wrap it to how I feel.

So first couple rides leaves a good impression. I'll keep updates on how the relationship progresses.

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2011 Trek Paragon. best gravel grinder bike trek fisher. Hello mountain bike racing fans. best gravel grinder bike trek fisher.

Carroll Composites Waterproof Cellphone Cases

Carroll Composites Waterproof Cases

I was only able to use one of these cases on one ride so far. But I must say it seems to be a good product.

Full disclosure here, Carroll Composites sent me the cases you see above for being their 200th twitter follower. (follow them @CarrollComp) They did not pay me for any opinion or review.

I used the Snap Case (on the left) to carry a Motorola Droid X phone and my wallet. The phone is a little tall for the case, but was able to be sealed in the 'pouch' without a problem. One really nice thing about it, is that you can still access the touchscreen without taking removing it from the pouch.

It didn't rain during this use, so I couldn't test the waterproof-ness of the pouch. Carroll Composites claims it is waterproof down to 3 meters (and will even float). I was thinking I could put my phone in there and fill my bath tub with water and test it there, but I still can't get the courage to do this.

The other cases you see above is the Slim Case (center) and the Tune Case (right). The Slim Case will hold most phones (they say even those fancy iPhones without a case or shell). The Tune Case is made to keep your phone or iPod dry, but allowing you to use the ear phones (even the mic).

All of them include a leash, which could be handy for other sports like kayaking or canoeing. I however am planning to remove mine. It seems to just get in the way. Luckily that's no big deal to take it off and on.

I will be using this more as I ride more this summer. I must say that it seems to be much better then using a zip lock baggy.

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Mountain Bike? Yeah I guess so.

2011 Trek Paragon Hello mountain bike racing fans.

So I did it. I bit the bullet. I jumped the gun. Pulled the trigger. I had my friends at the shop order in a Paragon. Yup, big wheels, 10 speeds, and 100mm of squishy fork. Now we play the waiting game. Ahhh - the waiting game sucks. Let's play Hungry Hungry Hippos!

Anyhow, I enlisted some friends on twitter and facebook for advice since it's been a real long time since I'd ridden a mountain bike. Seemed as tho most of them agreed that I should prolly go 29er, hardtail. With aluminum I'd get more bang for the buck. Was looking at the Scott Scale, the Stumpy Comp, and possibly the Giant XtC. I don't care for the local Giant dealer, so I've have to find something out of town or online (hello eBay). And almost the same with the Scott, in that there are no local dealers at all.

I would have liked to have more ride time before I made a decision, but no one had a large in stock of whichever model for me to try. I tried the Specialized in a medium, it was nice, but you could tell the fork was only 80mm of travel, and I figured a little more would be better.

The Paragon has 100, and riding a different Fisher for sizing gave me a little more confidence that it's the correct size. A couple things I'm a little nervous about tho. A lot of people complain about the handlebar with 17 degrees of awkward sweep. And the press fit bottom bracket. Hopefully if I don't like the bars, I can swap them out for some others.

The only reason the BB is any concern, is that I'm thinking that when we head into winter, I convert to singlespeed and possibly install a rigid fork (if that's possible because of the 51mm offset). My idea was to use a Forward Components Eccentric BB to tension the chain instead of a tensioner. But since the bearings press in to the frame, there's no chance of that. At least I don't think so. Guess we'll see.

Hopefully I'll be able to hot the trail(s) soon. Maybe I can free up some time for the RMBT and volunteer as a ride leader sometimes. Of course I'm already kinda looking at some races. We'll see how that goes.

One last thing, I have no idea about tubeless technology. It sounds like voo-doo magic to me. What would I need to convert to that type of system. And does it work in the winter?

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2011 Trek Paragon Hello mountain bike racing fans.

2011 Almanzo results

Photo borrowed from http://kyiabikes.blogspot.com/2011/05/almanzo-100-and-royal-162-pics.html

Sorry to say, I didn't do it this yeah. Maybe that was a good thing? Not sure. In a rare use of the term, it looks and sound like it was EPIC! Truly a sufferfest! Here's a link to the official results http://almanzo100.blogspot.com/2011/05/2011-results.html

There are reports from all over the web of the horrific conditions. Funny that the ATOC had some weather issues too. Of course I don't want to see dangerous racing conditions, but calling off stages because it's cold etc? Then again, who am I to say anything, I almost never ride in the rain, and I didn't ride this years Almanzo.

There's a great collection of photos here. And a huge collection here and here.

Seriously, I have to give major props to the 177 hard ass finishers of this years race. What a test of mental fortitude.

Update: I have added the 2011 results to my post with every running of the race here.

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