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