SS Dirt Gaps

Weatherman said 65 and sunny, how bout 55 and cloudy on the other side of the mountain. The plan was 40 miles and 4 dirt gaps in the Blue Ridge WMA. We were both unprepared for the weather, so we froze for about 4 hours.
Looking good early. Single, 29 and lovin every minute of it!
Heading up Cooper Gap, clearish skies
Heading to Hightower Gap, where'd the sun go?
Still smiling in the fog. Notice the T-shirt, it was the back up cold weather gear
Bikes chillin after a brutally cold 4 mile descent down Rock Creek Rd. to the Fish Hatchery
I missed a turn and added 10 miles to the ride. We stopped in Margeret for some coffee
Love the view. Hated the road. Becky got introduced to SSing on rolling pavement. No smiles. See the fog covered mountain. We came from there and have to go back over it. 8 Mile climb anyone?
The bikes earned there rest and so did Becky.
50 miles,4 gaps, 2 Moe's Burritos.

Niner ariseth

After months of waiting, debating, deliberating and annoying the living hell out of Becky I have finally got the gold niner built and rolling. The latest bump in the road came in the form of the gold fork. I had plans to just ride the KM fork I had to see if I liked the frame and the new geometry. I was telling Hodge of my plan at there new coffee/bike shop that is 15 minutes from my house. His response was to get Cody on the phone with Niner and demand they hook me up with a fork. His logic "you can't warranty a frame with a new frame that has different geometry and not include the fork". Cody got on the line with Frank from Niner and negotiated a deal on my behalf. They sent me the gold fork and charged me employee price plus shipping. I have no problem saying Addictive is the greatest bike shop in the world.
Now the bike

The newer geometry definitely makes for a faster handling bike.

Some of the other improvement are the EBB. Not sold on the design yet, but it held up well through 36 miles at Yargo on Sunday.
They also beefed up the chainstays and used chromo on the rear triangle. It takes out the "bounce" I used to feel on the old Niner

We also added this to the stable. Becky loves it. Gave up the Vassago frame for it, but it is totally worth it.

I've been on the fence regarding the Cohutta 100. I considered doing the 65 again and shooting for a better time than last year. I decided, this year, to make smarter bike race decision. Last year I got in over my head on a couple races and left them completely unhappy with my effort. I know I can finish the 100, but the thought of being on the bike for 12 hours isn't that appealing at this point. After ScraffyZ offered me his 65 entry at a discount, I took it as a sign and committed to the 65.

April and May will be busy on the race calendar. I plan to race 4 weekends in a row. Cohutta, then the Dirty Spokes race, then DSG, and SSUSA/GSSSC closes it out. The DS race can be a six hour or a 12 hour duo with Becky, or some other crazy SS'ers could jump in and do a 4 person SS team in the open class. I would skip this race altogether, but I really need to get out to the local races and pimp the Swiftwick brand. I'll decide on DSG in the next week or so.
Nuff talkey, need ridey

Gears Shmears

Becky got a 29er SS this week. We took it to Chicopee Saturday, she did 14 miles. I had more technical issues with the Niner, so my ride ended early (don't want to talk about it). We hit Yargo today. Becky did 2 laps = 24 miles. Heading up the only long climb (gas line climb) Becky says to me "gears shmears". I just smiled and thought to myself "I know". Welcome to dark side. Pics later beer now.