tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984726615540754472024-03-13T07:11:42.808-07:00 A Thorn in your SidewallExploring the finer points of riding and fixing bicyclesmack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-8969715578914514402023-01-27T20:31:00.009-08:002023-01-29T08:45:25.911-08:00New bike day: Marino custom hardtail<p> I recently replaced my Karate Monkey frame with a Marino custom steel frame. <a href="https://www.marinobike.com/">Marino</a> is a small fabrication shop in Peru that makes just about anything you want for a LOT less than most foreign-made stock frames, and pennies on the dollar from what you'll pay a for a domestic (American) custom frame builder. </p><p>My steel hardtail frame involved sliding dropouts for singlespeed adjustability and a bent seat tube to allow for rear tire clearance. I paid about $700 total for the frame.</p><p>I wanted something a little more "modern" than my Karate Monkey, which means I mostly wanted a longer wheelbase from a longer front end. After a few emails back and forth over the course of a month with Elijah at Marino, we agreed upon a design, down to the details of where to put brake hose anchor spots and the paint. </p><p>I started the process in early November 2022, finalized the design in early December, and the frame was finished around Christmas time. The frame shipped from Lima just before the end of the year, languished in a Peruvian postal facility for three agonizing weeks, then suddenly appeared on my doorstep near the end of January.</p><p>Because my frame is a hardtail and not a full-suspension, and I apparently hit it at the right time of year, my who process was less than three months. I've read recent reports of people waiting for close to a year to get a frame from them, so be aware that many factors can affect total turnaround time.</p><p>I searched and searched for a frame that would suit me, but kept coming up empty. Frames on the market that came close but did not hit the mark it into three categories:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>overbiked: There are a ton of frames on the market are optimized around longer forks than I care to use. 130mm+ travel is just not interesting to me. What I consider to be super-long wheelbases are likewise unattractive. The Pipedream Sirius and Esker Japhy fall in this category. These are terrific bikes for someone, but I didn't want to risk finding out the hard way that I don't like them.</li><li>boutique: there are some fantastic bikes out there that I'd love to own and ride, but my income doesn't justify the purchase. The Chumba Sendero and Neuhaus Hummingbird seem like amazing frames, but I can't responsibly shell out that amount of cash for a bike. Maybe some day I can.</li></ol><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">My Design</h2><div>I designed this bike with a few changes to the Karate Monkey:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>longer front-center and reach, which makes for a more stable ride and uses a shorter stem to achieve the same fit. I'm not sure I buy the idea that stem length really affects how a bike <i>handles</i>, but the stem has to be the right length for a given rider. I recently shoved a -1.5° Works Components headset in the ol Karate Monkey to length the wheelbase and enslacken the head tube angle and I liked it, so I designed the Marino to have a similar footprint.</li><li>shorter chainstays. I love wheelies and manuals and the ability to easily, breezily loft my front tire over stuff. a few things make that possible: high bottom brackets (that is to say, minimal BB <i>drop</i>, not the same thing as height off the ground), short effective reach (how horizontally far the grips are relative to the BB), high effective stack (how vertically far the grips are from the BB), and short chainstays. All of these factors can combine to create a bike that is "nimble" but can come at the expense of a bike that is "stable". I poured over geometry charts and reviews of some bikes on the market that seem to mix these two factors well.</li><li>31.6mm seat tube that is short. I've been enjoying a 150mm travel dropper post, but I wanted a little more. I had Marino design the frame with a shorter seat tube with a wider seatpost. The trick was to locate the necessary bend in the seat tube at the right place that the short chainstays would not cause a large-volume tire to hit the seat tube. Because I new exactly where I wanted the seat to end up to achieve and effective top tube that fits me well, Marino was able to bend the tube just right for an "effective" and "actual" seat tube angle that works.</li><li>optimized for a 120mm fork, or a 495mm rigid fork. If I made the BB too high or the head tube angle too slack, a fork of this length might not work very well.</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: left;">Photos</h2></div><div>This is why you came here, right?</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxeFAo5YzyLSF4QsnHR1MuLeOdGOZyfqvV0HgAoa2Q4tjdtLcIHs5YcNelrQtsdDaHCdIGbsQ-7kSN9gAkKzF23LuY-PdH_yH5q5yo_7GzLmc7BA9kID_TrPmPz_c7XLILGXYm4FBK4sEZM0L69yA8F8ZDutOX_4dOUwNtgioanDinB-4vucOVFtuKw/s932/Nolte%20Marino%20v1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="932" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxeFAo5YzyLSF4QsnHR1MuLeOdGOZyfqvV0HgAoa2Q4tjdtLcIHs5YcNelrQtsdDaHCdIGbsQ-7kSN9gAkKzF23LuY-PdH_yH5q5yo_7GzLmc7BA9kID_TrPmPz_c7XLILGXYm4FBK4sEZM0L69yA8F8ZDutOX_4dOUwNtgioanDinB-4vucOVFtuKw/s320/Nolte%20Marino%20v1.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the first drawings Elijah sent me for tweaking.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5A25TrzBR6U9mW0dlHslLhHMQAdH6X-3wVwK05zzQqDoLYRbAhox5LjtQs6Fk7yyi1UQwAfPw4vv4o5wTthfQumiQsQXFoV1K3A38H9G7koKAFTLcEfjAGm1b2K6q83oAyxU1Ayu--vJHAypkvapyKiTMXlYt-0ODdbdlKzXXYBaVyXugkdZyd5b4iw/s834/01%20Nolte%20Marino%20final.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="834" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5A25TrzBR6U9mW0dlHslLhHMQAdH6X-3wVwK05zzQqDoLYRbAhox5LjtQs6Fk7yyi1UQwAfPw4vv4o5wTthfQumiQsQXFoV1K3A38H9G7koKAFTLcEfjAGm1b2K6q83oAyxU1Ayu--vJHAypkvapyKiTMXlYt-0ODdbdlKzXXYBaVyXugkdZyd5b4iw/s320/01%20Nolte%20Marino%20final.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe this is the final drawing I authorized to go to the welding stage.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBOKAJ6ToAn3-PeToYE4v_zAI2F-cYrN0y0mzXoVGjX07rY2jCmLrJVgbEe0t3pqMeycWNKfi8ISa_T5Di567uRcUkZWaZmlZNZfD7AhRCCx1AMJUaWwVZb--dtLLDEqoo9UeXWNUsvv_LduIXPycrZz4A0A_q13fcOIO2N2KmMQHIBpAPbmFwEoyAA/s1280/Marino%20progress%20.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1280" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBOKAJ6ToAn3-PeToYE4v_zAI2F-cYrN0y0mzXoVGjX07rY2jCmLrJVgbEe0t3pqMeycWNKfi8ISa_T5Di567uRcUkZWaZmlZNZfD7AhRCCx1AMJUaWwVZb--dtLLDEqoo9UeXWNUsvv_LduIXPycrZz4A0A_q13fcOIO2N2KmMQHIBpAPbmFwEoyAA/s320/Marino%20progress%20.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I received a few "in progress" photos of the frame in stages of production. Here is is just being born.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-93lLmrCUE90AG67YQ-GZkCr_4AGmgzhaI-oESOWQ5f2Y2tRiDZ8ISb4_Za4v_LArGmeFqTbY6TWfSmTWZXJKLlwcMg_-1_d6DYteSW-y_qzKIoUi7u1t7gOres4f6LP9TX0s5qdnvN71vOEgWMTDarlotZytMqWBxmtpM9pkreECChFzh3cGDnGykg/s4624/marino%20painted.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3472" data-original-width="4624" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-93lLmrCUE90AG67YQ-GZkCr_4AGmgzhaI-oESOWQ5f2Y2tRiDZ8ISb4_Za4v_LArGmeFqTbY6TWfSmTWZXJKLlwcMg_-1_d6DYteSW-y_qzKIoUi7u1t7gOres4f6LP9TX0s5qdnvN71vOEgWMTDarlotZytMqWBxmtpM9pkreECChFzh3cGDnGykg/s320/marino%20painted.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial paint. I picked the color because I wanted something bright for once.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj571g2G0oCOSCMQFMZAj3dvPHoq6qLF05pOcpgj4ZihV6AuVKOwKpBKG8A3SnqgtU4PH47MCfTLcT4hR1yiFVZQ0NfAiQl2hKFSOlgPronEyzYsLOm93HWvaR1V6Id9LRMKbABi8aInr0KDTxm7o4SYgAwOjW2-t8C5PJFA5Q9bGTfH6iMU7BxOV1phQ/s4624/Marino%20painted%20right.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3472" data-original-width="4624" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj571g2G0oCOSCMQFMZAj3dvPHoq6qLF05pOcpgj4ZihV6AuVKOwKpBKG8A3SnqgtU4PH47MCfTLcT4hR1yiFVZQ0NfAiQl2hKFSOlgPronEyzYsLOm93HWvaR1V6Id9LRMKbABi8aInr0KDTxm7o4SYgAwOjW2-t8C5PJFA5Q9bGTfH6iMU7BxOV1phQ/s320/Marino%20painted%20right.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final image before shipping from Peru!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbB-lecRFM_xRkP7vO_avxawVyrcX7kIY0g9Vf0wyzUyGXTHhvOs8wrigtMkCcVcJfiXW_e94Yn_UdnocTnbM95kq4fABujJGpF-bzf4Bzc8o6VJn690rVFNyLdRYgx1aSQkd6LSLahquFVf4yMuV9xU_M2PCbNMf2OqoWqyYrPzOowk0tX3-oxskCw/s2688/PXL_20230126_235414073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbB-lecRFM_xRkP7vO_avxawVyrcX7kIY0g9Vf0wyzUyGXTHhvOs8wrigtMkCcVcJfiXW_e94Yn_UdnocTnbM95kq4fABujJGpF-bzf4Bzc8o6VJn690rVFNyLdRYgx1aSQkd6LSLahquFVf4yMuV9xU_M2PCbNMf2OqoWqyYrPzOowk0tX3-oxskCw/s320/PXL_20230126_235414073.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Bike Comes Together</h2><div>Swapping parts from my Karate Monkey to the new Marino was a breeze. I chose no internal cable routing, other than a port in the seat tube for the dropper post. I had already ordered a OneUp 31.6 dropper after a black Friday sale and it was waiting for a frame.</div><div><br /></div><div>The box included <i>two pairs</i> of dropout sliders with very nice hardware, two axles (beautifully machined), and a t-shirt. The frame came with a seatpost clamp as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4czRzTy2Yr-NKebN5q8MCukbpEVM9oXn8kYbRE9ks89A5SZ00LaToyeeNpKkXpItzqU3bbuwelABRcxl-l_xJV_BlwwzGnBTqVvt3k0pBy-DNo-6b3syEpSq9GB7l-aHX7vBPRXYUd1I6v5OMP7iaCOlfWM0119ejxrKxdhfhQv9bZw4kgh3hdzCYQ/s2688/PXL_20230127_000539291.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4czRzTy2Yr-NKebN5q8MCukbpEVM9oXn8kYbRE9ks89A5SZ00LaToyeeNpKkXpItzqU3bbuwelABRcxl-l_xJV_BlwwzGnBTqVvt3k0pBy-DNo-6b3syEpSq9GB7l-aHX7vBPRXYUd1I6v5OMP7iaCOlfWM0119ejxrKxdhfhQv9bZw4kgh3hdzCYQ/s320/PXL_20230127_000539291.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6aSpbUVgjkHNivy6A10iWmS9Gk1MJj-hM30Vs_NW6ZeHqmhhOVuD2PaHUvwsmSqsfmj_JA3neHJB_Pya_S1EtEAM0Af7qeYsFwOGx1daI7lQ0t_fKpRjOLT1hdUN-ULju9RJjWK24diguTudX50RXYi9lpPcimhgagHabD_vPmGJEXoRwnhb6A96Qw/s2688/PXL_20230127_000546248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6aSpbUVgjkHNivy6A10iWmS9Gk1MJj-hM30Vs_NW6ZeHqmhhOVuD2PaHUvwsmSqsfmj_JA3neHJB_Pya_S1EtEAM0Af7qeYsFwOGx1daI7lQ0t_fKpRjOLT1hdUN-ULju9RJjWK24diguTudX50RXYi9lpPcimhgagHabD_vPmGJEXoRwnhb6A96Qw/s320/PXL_20230127_000546248.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I have no complaints about how the bike came together and how it fits and handles. It looks sharp, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineBWVIIaiYJIgqMqrHENDku8sJScuHlCYjsomSOemY1x0X_-FlnGcTcZ-Vwb66Ad01QB098eS-bFmw4zU0CWGZJ9FDG52KUEJ7SKE6AIJX9wsa_3J05y462ppLIbDQuHdOJ8DSrW1nux19x6EidykbHa1jBrInuFwgeLw0DG82GMs6GrzqMU4JspSXA/s2688/PXL_20230127_034910197.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineBWVIIaiYJIgqMqrHENDku8sJScuHlCYjsomSOemY1x0X_-FlnGcTcZ-Vwb66Ad01QB098eS-bFmw4zU0CWGZJ9FDG52KUEJ7SKE6AIJX9wsa_3J05y462ppLIbDQuHdOJ8DSrW1nux19x6EidykbHa1jBrInuFwgeLw0DG82GMs6GrzqMU4JspSXA/s320/PXL_20230127_034910197.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_MwMYkOeC_AH1EoXOJTWXTCWXNZBh1NVh4G3HCzLDto5clDUHRXteETwNx-R5DE6pxw34YqD9ye5pK7Z1Gf9p9zFdcCqBT6pcD4_MoSOUewLEhiUOYMXztfYQzteZAt4IteBXcDgbNH-Eb-6yxrTW0w6UQjwo5B98NNyCgXOngQLL5BzWrYPX0X7Uw/s2688/PXL_20230127_012849911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_MwMYkOeC_AH1EoXOJTWXTCWXNZBh1NVh4G3HCzLDto5clDUHRXteETwNx-R5DE6pxw34YqD9ye5pK7Z1Gf9p9zFdcCqBT6pcD4_MoSOUewLEhiUOYMXztfYQzteZAt4IteBXcDgbNH-Eb-6yxrTW0w6UQjwo5B98NNyCgXOngQLL5BzWrYPX0X7Uw/s320/PXL_20230127_012849911.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42dgB1kSem7RJSGGO3HCKw30VP__GXd6pN55d7pFil4xkzhPMpYbi8vUti1Os1vxShJAmzVjpLEYaSCOd0Ho8z1x5ipah5hdXGogBURkT2atGoUyRwKkq6a1Mvu92VWDHxUF6TTtAJRm08ssgwGAokTHVuG2cA89hkjePsesQkql3d8_D2H-a0aQFyA/s2688/PXL_20230127_014932713.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42dgB1kSem7RJSGGO3HCKw30VP__GXd6pN55d7pFil4xkzhPMpYbi8vUti1Os1vxShJAmzVjpLEYaSCOd0Ho8z1x5ipah5hdXGogBURkT2atGoUyRwKkq6a1Mvu92VWDHxUF6TTtAJRm08ssgwGAokTHVuG2cA89hkjePsesQkql3d8_D2H-a0aQFyA/s320/PXL_20230127_014932713.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of room for a 29x2.4" tire with a 34t "non boost" spaced chainring and 420mm chainstays! This is about as tukt as it gets and probably a huge challenge for the builder. I should be able to use a larger volume tire if I want, but I might need to change the gear combo and pull the axle back a bit, which is fine.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioketTm59DoforC_7XXqp2328Xe05N6xu-unGvSFLJ-h_YEftd8E9spJoPD9GobAwJNBHOxoPG1auGmtg8KB_9AePVpGTig5JUFC_deNK3K6FbdHV7IBYlFDJq5SLs2XuVl_LA-kE6rHO24Nm46WS4GOYP0nZAbYWAIwPxNGuL_SmLIOL5Q2yNvq2jUw/s2688/PXL_20230127_231055586.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioketTm59DoforC_7XXqp2328Xe05N6xu-unGvSFLJ-h_YEftd8E9spJoPD9GobAwJNBHOxoPG1auGmtg8KB_9AePVpGTig5JUFC_deNK3K6FbdHV7IBYlFDJq5SLs2XuVl_LA-kE6rHO24Nm46WS4GOYP0nZAbYWAIwPxNGuL_SmLIOL5Q2yNvq2jUw/s320/PXL_20230127_231055586.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTJp9WRReo8bLilF4JQLyAWlJe66RvYbXCjbBqs4kY6XnWYJzlep1HaHdYQTjIGtlyjCeTz-9_Bc3-cRceinNnYh9KnsqAgE59hm2XPIRpIzjxlJfx3sbWRzDPaU-FFRvX9pt1RrhxVAkymWMwy2Ckdl9T8yct8H1gtVMl1ra3h8IaB2tOt9sSkDmqA/s2688/PXL_20230127_231122244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTJp9WRReo8bLilF4JQLyAWlJe66RvYbXCjbBqs4kY6XnWYJzlep1HaHdYQTjIGtlyjCeTz-9_Bc3-cRceinNnYh9KnsqAgE59hm2XPIRpIzjxlJfx3sbWRzDPaU-FFRvX9pt1RrhxVAkymWMwy2Ckdl9T8yct8H1gtVMl1ra3h8IaB2tOt9sSkDmqA/s320/PXL_20230127_231122244.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUINcYRpMhRmSIVX4lX1cCo7T02in41Ph-EehiHtxg6eciCDT4ena0uYVdB-EVhOYug3I1QDIVwkE_5XT4a5GQCsqjzdYJBmm0V2x6M04uMfAl3Vzpga-Cu1X_8hFmksfDkMOWb73Bwhk6Fmme0RXRiw5aLCW0y4fPYP8t6AuBKWtopOfDHGamiBInQ/s2688/PXL_20230127_231207782.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUINcYRpMhRmSIVX4lX1cCo7T02in41Ph-EehiHtxg6eciCDT4ena0uYVdB-EVhOYug3I1QDIVwkE_5XT4a5GQCsqjzdYJBmm0V2x6M04uMfAl3Vzpga-Cu1X_8hFmksfDkMOWb73Bwhk6Fmme0RXRiw5aLCW0y4fPYP8t6AuBKWtopOfDHGamiBInQ/s320/PXL_20230127_231207782.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These sliders are nice, and the stainless bolts with a 6mm hex are stout.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBxAXqgFia0COSXZ8iGodG7YLQfiUZhz8e4l-FGbxCccYcFH6wdnHmD991ORjVuw7vFiWF7rBIyyXRG6fIxAXJhz88ZS6rob3NTVCFCa4oxdFFBFtxdzYeMatWUFl7yYG9xUtCdAiZcSgC25vLtuqGB2EFZmgfFTyJA1L4bedrv1e0mPVFZ3ad1nd2w/s2688/PXL_20230127_231138234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBxAXqgFia0COSXZ8iGodG7YLQfiUZhz8e4l-FGbxCccYcFH6wdnHmD991ORjVuw7vFiWF7rBIyyXRG6fIxAXJhz88ZS6rob3NTVCFCa4oxdFFBFtxdzYeMatWUFl7yYG9xUtCdAiZcSgC25vLtuqGB2EFZmgfFTyJA1L4bedrv1e0mPVFZ3ad1nd2w/s320/PXL_20230127_231138234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxuOkYifCzim1koyUz8MAyuMV-6UecdvicCg7NHXuzJ9rRmnopvd3ISeEFKh6XEq1C3RPIn6IvDiywgxUpZ8a7hcHNEgGgo_koZ810uICvjvD-hRVY-JhIX0wtnXgEBsfHZ_IXQB7T86fBbvj3xzzeaLAP8suJzzwGcWGPOo_WHof3AI6vVzxwkK8MQ/s2688/PXL_20230127_231201391.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxuOkYifCzim1koyUz8MAyuMV-6UecdvicCg7NHXuzJ9rRmnopvd3ISeEFKh6XEq1C3RPIn6IvDiywgxUpZ8a7hcHNEgGgo_koZ810uICvjvD-hRVY-JhIX0wtnXgEBsfHZ_IXQB7T86fBbvj3xzzeaLAP8suJzzwGcWGPOo_WHof3AI6vVzxwkK8MQ/s320/PXL_20230127_231201391.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More tire/frame clearance.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishFLuI42lJCROki3QsqGmAkGhG55rfMtzV3ldsUw-Igcynu5fOS0dH_dyuPbYUu6FL1xv_UhcQEn6GG8b2O8FcYG9AfjNJkrdaTcroDGcFvX-y2ra840k6lfGFVCuK8aOPGubScxLb3mJhsDQT4aza8yDZROwXY8xitqb_t9xEUS6KAPoyJR_baq76w/s2688/PXL_20230127_231131329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishFLuI42lJCROki3QsqGmAkGhG55rfMtzV3ldsUw-Igcynu5fOS0dH_dyuPbYUu6FL1xv_UhcQEn6GG8b2O8FcYG9AfjNJkrdaTcroDGcFvX-y2ra840k6lfGFVCuK8aOPGubScxLb3mJhsDQT4aza8yDZROwXY8xitqb_t9xEUS6KAPoyJR_baq76w/s320/PXL_20230127_231131329.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJC9a2xV59qlZiPqWMv73FzOnQAkL1tMWB2ZdsXXG9OgGVPUuwWi-2zzKSF9377pKFro9CzFl4bZRtgyRV2RVtiRJpcc-YK5A4z90y8H_ZoY93f6OulMqH6K52J-VlL1fCc2SWxKMm0cX_0Kt70FJi4EwFIwUosQf8yJfGPBGQOAzDLSOdnjpZapvBA/s2688/PXL_20230127_231922669.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJC9a2xV59qlZiPqWMv73FzOnQAkL1tMWB2ZdsXXG9OgGVPUuwWi-2zzKSF9377pKFro9CzFl4bZRtgyRV2RVtiRJpcc-YK5A4z90y8H_ZoY93f6OulMqH6K52J-VlL1fCc2SWxKMm0cX_0Kt70FJi4EwFIwUosQf8yJfGPBGQOAzDLSOdnjpZapvBA/s320/PXL_20230127_231922669.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU08QqOWh49ZTj90_pTtZU9gcLpvYrTFODOaTp6xfiKVVWpE54n31AXJBlzmGiB_U3pTlgZajOiNN0xbOmoy8Ka0tecswIqfd40ktWBug1o5NTdddsD7vN3zqw7UGWcks_mwH1HwDVTyHY1HsNzLjjGlIckbnRcH1oxQxu93kyb34Pct74wQy8yxI9gQ/s2688/PXL_20230127_232448773.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU08QqOWh49ZTj90_pTtZU9gcLpvYrTFODOaTp6xfiKVVWpE54n31AXJBlzmGiB_U3pTlgZajOiNN0xbOmoy8Ka0tecswIqfd40ktWBug1o5NTdddsD7vN3zqw7UGWcks_mwH1HwDVTyHY1HsNzLjjGlIckbnRcH1oxQxu93kyb34Pct74wQy8yxI9gQ/s320/PXL_20230127_232448773.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYuVpENdzwB4swmOH2p9v60dnOuPegxPCqT-b2rpnGM_nW8atvU1PBUR3nP81JgNSdQXnWUA5_h-fW45jk8q8hfNQfCiE7lk-7JsmSMftjzy8vLpgYKLIqtPIQ_rZLBbBdtRKOMczdXr1pw8-T6sigj-GLw1bQC5L4xhFHoOhWHgEIzkq9cebPhhnjA/s2688/PXL_20230127_233334018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYuVpENdzwB4swmOH2p9v60dnOuPegxPCqT-b2rpnGM_nW8atvU1PBUR3nP81JgNSdQXnWUA5_h-fW45jk8q8hfNQfCiE7lk-7JsmSMftjzy8vLpgYKLIqtPIQ_rZLBbBdtRKOMczdXr1pw8-T6sigj-GLw1bQC5L4xhFHoOhWHgEIzkq9cebPhhnjA/s320/PXL_20230127_233334018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large water bottle fits in the frame.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_tfOYAaeAZsPJkXEcCPEYtUWKn08FxkDN-3sUs7s7PFHtznhG2U-GEccc-LQZO53CHqM-LNYsoNvUdRSUQbwZ8-rD3-Dyza_3xYgd23_g3rRYQ7wd-WUKk80NzTJ0sZ59lUtJrIUXIwf9ClPdb7RL9CBwlgSGT9R8VvsdYryaAQYoHO00EEQ_0110Q/s2688/PXL_20230127_232458126.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_tfOYAaeAZsPJkXEcCPEYtUWKn08FxkDN-3sUs7s7PFHtznhG2U-GEccc-LQZO53CHqM-LNYsoNvUdRSUQbwZ8-rD3-Dyza_3xYgd23_g3rRYQ7wd-WUKk80NzTJ0sZ59lUtJrIUXIwf9ClPdb7RL9CBwlgSGT9R8VvsdYryaAQYoHO00EEQ_0110Q/s320/PXL_20230127_232458126.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my few complaints is these water bottle mounting point. They're welded in without much of a flat surface to support the cage or whatever accessory you might bolt on here. I might modify these for a better fit, but they seem to work fine.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxiUbdYhhDKaWabzC_jwrAwgBZHCY2TDeZ3SZXofPx46FvDemneRUSdXNyk-iFYGMPIvnxn4bfudsw4U2kZgsi9oFe-kp5mNyf8FvsY74H8C5zWm6F9tNSo3iYHiwmqotmSOctXg3KKf4SxSlfJEvjzx6nyvNVFuLyheg4NUYM9gBQXcUWW9tSzhA5Q/s2688/PXL_20230127_231220394.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxiUbdYhhDKaWabzC_jwrAwgBZHCY2TDeZ3SZXofPx46FvDemneRUSdXNyk-iFYGMPIvnxn4bfudsw4U2kZgsi9oFe-kp5mNyf8FvsY74H8C5zWm6F9tNSo3iYHiwmqotmSOctXg3KKf4SxSlfJEvjzx6nyvNVFuLyheg4NUYM9gBQXcUWW9tSzhA5Q/s320/PXL_20230127_231220394.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My only other problem is that this dropper post port routing is not very smooth. I might move that housing around for a better bend, but it seems to work fine. I also should have routed the dropper cable from the left side of the handlebar <i>around</i> the head tube to the right side of the down tube. The current routing has a tight bend from the handlebar that goes down the left side of the down tube. [edit: I found a practical and unattractive workaround for this.]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS8HqKzPnPtlJnhAACsqc2bIND8qeYWzXt6rQG_yMe8mh74hq5zyXeBUd15n9Q9IHjpNvT3E9grIT6l7_B-l9Hl548nmYMJBeVvcBMTjWkx0NLYzZgJuqFe133KVjjkBbRqRF-yXp2t5TWwShVaLdlxQ4RwDPMOMbs18ezD-utZ7MB27GUAVwStAhTg/s2688/PXL_20230127_231030173.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS8HqKzPnPtlJnhAACsqc2bIND8qeYWzXt6rQG_yMe8mh74hq5zyXeBUd15n9Q9IHjpNvT3E9grIT6l7_B-l9Hl548nmYMJBeVvcBMTjWkx0NLYzZgJuqFe133KVjjkBbRqRF-yXp2t5TWwShVaLdlxQ4RwDPMOMbs18ezD-utZ7MB27GUAVwStAhTg/s320/PXL_20230127_231030173.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Lastly, the weight. They say you can pick only two out of <i>light</i>, <i>strong</i>, and <i>cheap.</i> At <b>6 pounds, 11 ounces </b>(3033 grams), this frame got the second and third is spades, but the first is not there. For reference, my medium Surly Karate Monkey is just over 6 pounds, and my previous Niner ROS9 was over 7 pounds. Nearly 7 pounds for a medium hardtail is hefty, but I suspect this frame is strong and I won't need to baby it. At less than 1/3 the cost of a similar domestic-made frame, I think it's a worthwhile tradeoff to get a bike that fits and handles the way I want it to.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">My Personal Build</h2><div>This is the only mountain bike I own, so over the years I've owned many iterations of, effectively, the same bike. I built this one up to be economical and durable.</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Tandell rigid carbon fiber fork, recently purchased used form a local rider</li><li>Alternatively, I have a 120mm Marzocchi Bomber Z2, recently purchased</li><li>SQLabs 30x low handlebar with 12° backsweep, purchased from SQLabs about five years ago. love this bar!</li><li>Syncros 50mm stem</li><li>Stan's Flow rin laced to a salvaged Bontrager front hub</li><li>Industry Nine 1-1 Enduro rear wheel</li><li>I change tires around a lot, but currently a Maxxis Rekon 2.6 front and Ardent 2.4 rear</li><li>Raceface Cranks in 170mm. I might need to consider a shorter crankset for ground clearance</li><li>Spank Spyke pedals I got in a trade</li><li>34t Blackspire ring and 21t Surly cog. I swap these around a bit, so I have a 30 and 32t rings, along with 18–21t Surly cogs to experiment</li><li>OneUP 180mm dropper, purchased just for this bike during a OneUp Black Friday sale</li><li>Ergon saddle that I recently won in a raffle</li><li>TRP Slate brakes that I purchased used. They're really old and are likely to never die. I flushed them and replaced the fluid with Shimano red stuff.</li><li>TOGSs on my grips with Ergon silicone. I like the TOGS. the grips twist a bit so I need a better way to glue them down.</li></ul>The whole bike weighs just shy of 28 pounds. that's heavy for a singlespeed, but it doesn't bother me. It will weigh closer to 30 pounds when I swap the suspension fork in.</div>mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-69589089470371188102021-09-05T18:32:00.448-07:002021-09-06T14:06:48.273-07:00PNW visit 2021<p>I am taking a break from the already infrequent bike posts to record a narrative of my recent trip to the Pacific Northwest. Every summer, my wife and I try to get away from the intense Texas heat for a while and this year, in spite of Covid, we flew to Seattle to hike, eat, and explore. Vaxxed and masked, we proceeded to take it all in. We were not disappointed!</p><p>I'm writing this mostly to document what we did while the memories are still fresh. If it's not perfect and it's not poetry, that's OK with me.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A note about photos: Kelly and I shot many of these with our smart phones. Whenever possible, I shot my Sony DSLR with a 28mm f/2.8 prime lens. I set it on aperture priority mode most of the time and adjusted the ISO according to my lighting needs. I employed some dynamic range features for a few really tricky shots. I started experimenting with B&W mode as well. This is a new setup for me and it's the closest thing I've felt to shooting film with my trusty old Nikon FM2, which I sold many years ago. Let me know if you want to see larger versions of any of these photos.</span></i></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">Day 0–1, explore central Seattle</h2><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RaCBkxBEn5o/YTUtzMFlWwI/AAAAAAAAf_g/XOkJyFdRsGA84TRyX5d1IDlxPOh_7lQggCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/20210826_180509.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RaCBkxBEn5o/YTUtzMFlWwI/AAAAAAAAf_g/XOkJyFdRsGA84TRyX5d1IDlxPOh_7lQggCPcBGAsYHg/w181-h320/20210826_180509.jpg" width="181" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sleeps on a plane?</td></tr></tbody></table>We flew from Austin to Seattle on Thursday evening. The layover in Sacramento was long because that second flight was delayed. Too many Covidiots in the airport not coving up. I got pretty cranky. Didn't get into a hotel near SEATAC until about 2 a.m. We were wiped.<p></p><p></p><p>We should have slept in, but we got up early on "Texas time" which was well before dawn on the West coast. Brownbag breakfast at the hotel and we figured out how to get a Seattle transit card. The train from the airport to downtown Seattle was smooth and relaxing. The green hills shrouded in mist kept the mountains as a mysterious presence to be revealed later in the week.</p><p>We got to Pike Place Market so early that nearly nothing was open yet. We had the waterfront mostly to ourselves. I fueled up with a tasty pastry from Eastern European bakery <a href="https://piroshkybakery.com/">Piroshky Piroshky</a> (vegan savory soft goodies!) and watched seagulls on the waterfront of Puget Sound.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GScq34oMWCc/YTUydDsQAMI/AAAAAAAAf_4/qSLk9hIEzd0XrtmaNqO11oHlEe6bMm-YwCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/20210827_085152.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GScq34oMWCc/YTUydDsQAMI/AAAAAAAAf_4/qSLk9hIEzd0XrtmaNqO11oHlEe6bMm-YwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210827_085152.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hug Someone Today, good advice!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWXQfWNG6dE/YTUtH3axckI/AAAAAAAAf_Y/iqd31xqG85cxLD7fZa07-0BIDw2fa15DwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05438.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="seagull near Puget Sound" border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWXQfWNG6dE/YTUtH3axckI/AAAAAAAAf_Y/iqd31xqG85cxLD7fZa07-0BIDw2fa15DwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h425/DSC05438.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is so Puget.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Realizing that heading north from the city center would require a ton of uphill, we opted for a city bus to take us to Kerry Park. From this high perch, we could see for miles around the Sound and the city.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cw0eaKleV8E/YTUxSix2OZI/AAAAAAAAf_s/s-VP7bUWmKkXiLHfUXu9XBKsYG4VSzJ0gCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05443.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cw0eaKleV8E/YTUxSix2OZI/AAAAAAAAf_s/s-VP7bUWmKkXiLHfUXu9XBKsYG4VSzJ0gCPcBGAsYHg/w320-h213/DSC05443.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39LVYUbMixc/YTUxSuFPQYI/AAAAAAAAf_s/I-RjH2bZ9uQ9oayOx3VMO4GXexzXcPz2QCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05444.JPG" style="clear: right; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39LVYUbMixc/YTUxSuFPQYI/AAAAAAAAf_s/I-RjH2bZ9uQ9oayOx3VMO4GXexzXcPz2QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC05444.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UzuY2YE874/YTU2ta5AAOI/AAAAAAAAgAE/5QcHZ2zlOQ8-n6QwyQTDV6WmvJ_ZN9l4gCPcBGAsYHg/s2880/20210827_095205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UzuY2YE874/YTU2ta5AAOI/AAAAAAAAgAE/5QcHZ2zlOQ8-n6QwyQTDV6WmvJ_ZN9l4gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20210827_095205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xImdsENrvA/YTU2tUbSfhI/AAAAAAAAgAE/o7BjKaJfwqU8gETtfnp8k8YwS7agm98FQCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05447.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xImdsENrvA/YTU2tUbSfhI/AAAAAAAAgAE/o7BjKaJfwqU8gETtfnp8k8YwS7agm98FQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h266/DSC05447.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The walk back <i>down</i> hill through the posh neighborhoods toward the Space Needle included endless stairs.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scCUaxx-OSQ/YTU2tWbWb7I/AAAAAAAAgAE/CdIUvQLuDG48lgF6qm3dfZvgH8vAHVcqwCPcBGAsYHg/s2880/20210827_104325.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scCUaxx-OSQ/YTU2tWbWb7I/AAAAAAAAgAE/CdIUvQLuDG48lgF6qm3dfZvgH8vAHVcqwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20210827_104325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The public spaces around the Space Needle has clean bathrooms with personality and a fountain that blasts water hundreds of feet into the air.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We passed through the Olympic Sculpture Garden and followed the waterfront back to Pike Place for lunch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KAEfnbEhpoE/YTU2tfnh7RI/AAAAAAAAgAE/46ihdvwrQK4r0pjI58S7iWlISlJL4y1EwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05430.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KAEfnbEhpoE/YTU2tfnh7RI/AAAAAAAAgAE/46ihdvwrQK4r0pjI58S7iWlISlJL4y1EwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05430.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJq-AMtLfXc/YTU2tY0nckI/AAAAAAAAgAE/AJSoAHKxwaoM5cjFKrcTag4R7f-rrLvVACPcBGAsYHg/s2880/20210827_125616.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJq-AMtLfXc/YTU2tY0nckI/AAAAAAAAgAE/AJSoAHKxwaoM5cjFKrcTag4R7f-rrLvVACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20210827_125616.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masks are recommended if you visit the Gum Wall, not because of Covid, but because it's just gross.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">askM</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0CUaGyfGZFc/YTU2tTsMpUI/AAAAAAAAgAE/LDML-ikc6NgnrOqZ5XeUPgynjTiQUsvAQCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05451.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0CUaGyfGZFc/YTU2tTsMpUI/AAAAAAAAgAE/LDML-ikc6NgnrOqZ5XeUPgynjTiQUsvAQCPcBGAsYHg/w266-h400/DSC05451.JPG" width="266" /> </a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmTeJ3mbwQI/YTU_NW_PvsI/AAAAAAAAgAw/xOCYnKG9RrovlPRaOVoHas95PE-AosuYQCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05452.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmTeJ3mbwQI/YTU_NW_PvsI/AAAAAAAAgAw/xOCYnKG9RrovlPRaOVoHas95PE-AosuYQCPcBGAsYHg/w266-h400/DSC05452.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After a sushi lunch, we followed a tour guide starting at Pioneer Square through the Seattle underground. When the city was first built, trial and error led builders to create raised roads around all the buildings, so each building effectively had a ladder-accessible moat around it for a few years before they put sidewalks at street level, burying the ditches and creating tunnels. They embedded glass in the sidewalks to let light into the tunnels.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OwJZ60oZtw4/YTVANeqRz6I/AAAAAAAAgA8/L8akSF4DI8UR9gdywxMUN2O1WcFRWgTaACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05455.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OwJZ60oZtw4/YTVANeqRz6I/AAAAAAAAgA8/L8akSF4DI8UR9gdywxMUN2O1WcFRWgTaACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05455.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_5Fim3dcatc/YTVANVDifnI/AAAAAAAAgA8/R0l2AE9KyAE_iHnhITzA0lVUlls0KpxewCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05458.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_5Fim3dcatc/YTVANVDifnI/AAAAAAAAgA8/R0l2AE9KyAE_iHnhITzA0lVUlls0KpxewCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05458.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> All that walking gave us an appetite for boba tea and Chinese food, so we headed to Loving Hut. Still not satisfied, we rode a trolley to Cinnaholic for some custom vegan cinnamon buns. Thoroughly exhausted and stuffed full of food, we rode the long train back to the hotel near SEATAC.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Day 2: Rainier</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Saturday morning, we got up in our typical early fashion and got our rental car for a trip around Rainier National Park. We drove anti-clockwise around the mountain, stopping at various waterfalls and hiking spots. One of the most popular areas on the route is called Paradise, and we only drove around the parking area to access it before moving on. We'll have to go back some day.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8pw9mTswYDY/YTVCpo8EQ4I/AAAAAAAAgBI/ht7QfJ5j6jgxUapibAAz1nnciMq252fJACLcBGAsYHQ/s651/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-09-05%2Bat%2B5.17.32%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="651" height="550" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8pw9mTswYDY/YTVCpo8EQ4I/AAAAAAAAgBI/ht7QfJ5j6jgxUapibAAz1nnciMq252fJACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h550/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-09-05%2Bat%2B5.17.32%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our general route with a few of the points of interest marked.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onWurf5RMiw/YTVEDR8VKII/AAAAAAAAgBQ/4sVIU1sfhNslo191hDdUBQ8VMoBI_kVwQCPcBGAsYHg/s2880/20210828_132744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onWurf5RMiw/YTVEDR8VKII/AAAAAAAAgBQ/4sVIU1sfhNslo191hDdUBQ8VMoBI_kVwQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20210828_132744.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1zTyws7k0o/YTVEDZkNAqI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/2a4uG9ktV8w5EbVoy_IYcDgwGqJiKp9XwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210828_132859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1zTyws7k0o/YTVEDZkNAqI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/2a4uG9ktV8w5EbVoy_IYcDgwGqJiKp9XwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h312/20210828_132859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfyPAdzNIWY/YTVEDcJ3x5I/AAAAAAAAgBQ/fxte9tI4cn4Qdlbxookr2MehECJ_9INswCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05468.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="3264" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfyPAdzNIWY/YTVEDcJ3x5I/AAAAAAAAgBQ/fxte9tI4cn4Qdlbxookr2MehECJ_9INswCPcBGAsYHg/w426-h640/DSC05468.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narada Falls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7fogLGtTt8/YTVEDVfHktI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/Lq_mB-PwDNoMHM3Afox_orxvTU1R_PX3ACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05469.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7fogLGtTt8/YTVEDVfHktI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/Lq_mB-PwDNoMHM3Afox_orxvTU1R_PX3ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05469.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIfdW3YAxEs/YTVEDY3pyYI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/dtc8oYuBMmkSwG25o_a4mxBCrhboh9R4QCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05472.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIfdW3YAxEs/YTVEDY3pyYI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/dtc8oYuBMmkSwG25o_a4mxBCrhboh9R4QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05472.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfhrPsOcwVU/YTVEDQ-BYQI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/fbb-TuMbNv8Bfb5x212YFkIXImrq7M0WACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05478.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfhrPsOcwVU/YTVEDQ-BYQI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/fbb-TuMbNv8Bfb5x212YFkIXImrq7M0WACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05478.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfLsZIAtt30/YTVEDZ8jCsI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/uXDLqtGh6YQk2-fhfUv6-pnn7-xPiUjEACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210828_152153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfLsZIAtt30/YTVEDZ8jCsI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/uXDLqtGh6YQk2-fhfUv6-pnn7-xPiUjEACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h312/20210828_152153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQAbwQVqM54/YTVEDalQo4I/AAAAAAAAgBQ/0QUeKD5LeVIa6L41AworMcrlLpQd1F73ACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05481.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQAbwQVqM54/YTVEDalQo4I/AAAAAAAAgBQ/0QUeKD5LeVIa6L41AworMcrlLpQd1F73ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05481.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Jpo8gferqo/YTVEDdBLcNI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/9GkmzvOE0N0QXZR5FaTHs4V4I3yudEpAQCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05484.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Jpo8gferqo/YTVEDdBLcNI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/9GkmzvOE0N0QXZR5FaTHs4V4I3yudEpAQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05484.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflecting lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGszVOplPxI/YTVEDcIGTzI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/RUFLP4QIZeAqmYUsYD7AN3n16chqI7txACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05497.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGszVOplPxI/YTVEDcIGTzI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/RUFLP4QIZeAqmYUsYD7AN3n16chqI7txACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05497.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looming peak of the mountain. At our last stop on Sunrise, which is around 6,400 feet, the peak above us looks like another planet at over 14,400.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LcNesLfgxm4/YTVEDfA-sGI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/B3Uga7UwJEIFbnd2TKCqdCbXUl0Ei8RYgCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05495.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LcNesLfgxm4/YTVEDfA-sGI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/B3Uga7UwJEIFbnd2TKCqdCbXUl0Ei8RYgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05495.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjA7jlHQAOI/YTVEDctjwzI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/_MxY0C7EADgQt0LCuCHaRsjS1OlOA1L2wCPcBGAsYHg/s2880/20210828_132350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjA7jlHQAOI/YTVEDctjwzI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/_MxY0C7EADgQt0LCuCHaRsjS1OlOA1L2wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20210828_132350.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cj4l4NizzBE/YTVEDa5aP7I/AAAAAAAAgBQ/RKWv0OeAsmwdAc9OXuj7iQU6jCJQjN7EgCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05474.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="3264" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cj4l4NizzBE/YTVEDa5aP7I/AAAAAAAAgBQ/RKWv0OeAsmwdAc9OXuj7iQU6jCJQjN7EgCPcBGAsYHg/w426-h640/DSC05474.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2WkcffNbho4/YTVEDWDAE8I/AAAAAAAAgBQ/ziUel80gF04x0EA0QEZ_bNKh-jzn9NkRQCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05476.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="3264" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2WkcffNbho4/YTVEDWDAE8I/AAAAAAAAgBQ/ziUel80gF04x0EA0QEZ_bNKh-jzn9NkRQCPcBGAsYHg/w426-h640/DSC05476.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narada Falls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9pGmSYadm8/YTVEDW5cBpI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/KeFAl1I2sukpWT4RLqslVywDYthGiaNQACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05490.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9pGmSYadm8/YTVEDW5cBpI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/KeFAl1I2sukpWT4RLqslVywDYthGiaNQACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05490.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bench Lake Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUG9FHJmqsU/YTVEDWnU8wI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/iSIJnMfd9egt8DwZDl7RlMPNRy97tE3BgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210828_165731.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUG9FHJmqsU/YTVEDWnU8wI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/iSIJnMfd9egt8DwZDl7RlMPNRy97tE3BgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h312/20210828_165731.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking north from the Sunrise Visitors Center</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBECedahjEs/YTVEDaDd6oI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/8TWFJmkwlXYCvImFbXeFFOe_S5lnXws8ACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05492.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBECedahjEs/YTVEDaDd6oI/AAAAAAAAgBQ/8TWFJmkwlXYCvImFbXeFFOe_S5lnXws8ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05492.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We finally made it back to Seattle, this time to a house on the north side instead of the airport hotel, where we ate some delicious Vietnamese food. Did I mention we had great food everywhere?</div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Day 3, Squamish</h2><div style="text-align: left;">We left very, very early and made for the Canadian border in our rented car. We drove through dense fog that hid mountains and bays past Bellingham to the Peace Bridge. Our Canadian border guard was very friendly. The border had only recently opened to American visitors, so we had to prepare a lot of paperwork to gain entry. Everything went smoothly as there was only one car in front of us at the gate. We had breakfast in Vancouver at The Templeton and considered our options before continuing to Squamish. If we had more time, we might have explored Stanley Park, but we instead crossed the harbor and hiked around Lynn Canyon for some stunning pine rainforest waterfalls.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzDat1jTSOk/YTVIIO5qONI/AAAAAAAAgBg/abSleTC58oArfXN94CmtojJdzN1OOWCyACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210829_121513.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzDat1jTSOk/YTVIIO5qONI/AAAAAAAAgBg/abSleTC58oArfXN94CmtojJdzN1OOWCyACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210829_121513.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walkways and waterfalls along trails in Lynn Canyon are under-rated.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We continued up highway 99 past countless cliffs, bays, and mountains. This is the highway that mountain bikers and skiers use to access Whistler, and it was evident from the parade of cars heading back south on this Sunday afternoon loaded down with bikes and camping gear from a weekend of adventure. We probably could have spent all week stopping at these same places, but we had limited time and one main destination: the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8g5K5KCbcIo/YTVLZsT8M7I/AAAAAAAAgBs/_JDDTDqYCpUlYI0wPSOHgqoY9G_HBB2KgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210829_135459.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8g5K5KCbcIo/YTVLZsT8M7I/AAAAAAAAgBs/_JDDTDqYCpUlYI0wPSOHgqoY9G_HBB2KgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210829_135459.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">riding a in a box hanging from a cable as we ascend nearly 3,000 feet is scary-fun!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XXDw7UYTPPk/YTVLZmLriiI/AAAAAAAAgBs/3uPkN29nRdkqcAitdUJ7DetyCPZBIlyXACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210829_135813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XXDw7UYTPPk/YTVLZmLriiI/AAAAAAAAgBs/3uPkN29nRdkqcAitdUJ7DetyCPZBIlyXACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210829_135813.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AOYhOpRlnGk/YTVLZk1ZZBI/AAAAAAAAgBs/sLByr35_hxcnzU7HXxo9-i45N3YCbzMBgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210829_135804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AOYhOpRlnGk/YTVLZk1ZZBI/AAAAAAAAgBs/sLByr35_hxcnzU7HXxo9-i45N3YCbzMBgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210829_135804.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSF6O4k_h10/YTVLZkyUgEI/AAAAAAAAgBs/cA-hWueMM1kE5E1k74h0up3Mse5z8ByEQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210829_140240.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSF6O4k_h10/YTVLZkyUgEI/AAAAAAAAgBs/cA-hWueMM1kE5E1k74h0up3Mse5z8ByEQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210829_140240.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long but stable Sky Pilot suspension bridge connects to tall segments of the hiking area at the top.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SoZfOF1yk2Q/YTVLZresl5I/AAAAAAAAgBs/PTPLFPZMyvkz7m_E4oAEBRXbpRzZRrRowCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SoZfOF1yk2Q/YTVLZresl5I/AAAAAAAAgBs/PTPLFPZMyvkz7m_E4oAEBRXbpRzZRrRowCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "backside" of Stawamus Chief </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUhaf_CFHmc/YTVLZhRO_VI/AAAAAAAAgBs/3ifLezM5mLYDA1pF8b-vzVgK2AsUUShxwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05533.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUhaf_CFHmc/YTVLZhRO_VI/AAAAAAAAgBs/3ifLezM5mLYDA1pF8b-vzVgK2AsUUShxwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05533.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxFqd8MeEtU/YTVN6CXWnqI/AAAAAAAAgCE/pt4FDc0WIrEo5StebIdfrT25UTTuX1kFwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210829_163851.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxFqd8MeEtU/YTVN6CXWnqI/AAAAAAAAgCE/pt4FDc0WIrEo5StebIdfrT25UTTuX1kFwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20210829_163851.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>After a few hours roaming around the trails on the mountain, we found A-Frame brewery for some drinks and tacos before heading back to the US.<br /></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6dirdHIDFI/YTVN6G1kQPI/AAAAAAAAgCE/J1EkqwlPNc8ta2AHf4Og6Ek3bQnDzH_ZwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210829_171042.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6dirdHIDFI/YTVN6G1kQPI/AAAAAAAAgCE/J1EkqwlPNc8ta2AHf4Og6Ek3bQnDzH_ZwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210829_171042.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view from a grocery store window in Squamish.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfVUrj1ScIY/YTVWCiIvUOI/AAAAAAAAgCQ/iA7sVW1Pqd0iCSQqLw-CjKLN0WXssO2twCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210829_174326.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfVUrj1ScIY/YTVWCiIvUOI/AAAAAAAAgCQ/iA7sVW1Pqd0iCSQqLw-CjKLN0WXssO2twCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20210829_174326.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dogs don't mind traffic</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">The drive back to the US was rough! There was heavy traffic all the way down 99 to Vancouver. We did not have mobile data on our phones starting at the Canadian border, so we used the wifi at the brewery to start our route back. While we could look at a static map at any point, we had no updated traffic or routing info at all. We learned the hard way that there are only TWO bridges across the Vancouver Harbor. We sat and sat in one place trying to cross the Lions Gate Bridge, but it was backed up solid for what felt like an eternity. We decided to wiggle through a neighborhood to Highway 1 to attempt the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge. It was slow as well, but we were able to get across.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Note: if you're used to navigating by GPS, get a temporary data plan for your phone while visiting Canada!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We stumbled upon an African Restaurant called Simba's late in the evening. By the time we found it, we had expected to be back in the United States, well on our way to dinner in north Seattle. The mushroom curry was amazing though! We still had four hours of driving to do to get back to our house for the night. I was starting to "zone out" on the highway in some of the darkest passes. Luckily, we made it home safe with no plans to get up early on Monday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Day 4: Olympic Park</h2><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-_KOJvAhsY/YTVad5Y1cWI/AAAAAAAAgCc/crk-jO1v3yAa0A6YmE2a1O48auRrgrmCgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210830_080838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-_KOJvAhsY/YTVad5Y1cWI/AAAAAAAAgCc/crk-jO1v3yAa0A6YmE2a1O48auRrgrmCgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210830_080838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />After some much-needed sleep, we drove from north Seattle to Kingston via the ferry. Marshy coastal roads led us to the entry to Hurricane Ridge, but we were turned away because of "police activity." As it turns out, police were trying to find an <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/armed-man-who-fled-into-olympic-national-park-now-in-police-custody/">armed man who was seen roaming around that part of the park</a>. Some helpful park rangers helped us reroute to Lake Crescent, where we found amazing rainforest trails along Barnes Creek.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8i9m3zZK1IM/YTVhdWISbXI/AAAAAAAAgFw/gssn85U8AFYSbjFQifJuzDZU6ROS_qjjwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05541.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8i9m3zZK1IM/YTVhdWISbXI/AAAAAAAAgFw/gssn85U8AFYSbjFQifJuzDZU6ROS_qjjwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05541.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkQvr8MQSAI/YTVhdW3Tv5I/AAAAAAAAgFw/1afcC1rGbzMz7zzvSmqZIIY7HociBtGBwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05546.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkQvr8MQSAI/YTVhdW3Tv5I/AAAAAAAAgFw/1afcC1rGbzMz7zzvSmqZIIY7HociBtGBwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05546.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W1M2nO-8h-c/YTVhdbajE8I/AAAAAAAAgFw/S1SAnrNuc6MKmEJBAzkWt8dIMfK8vTY-QCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05547.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W1M2nO-8h-c/YTVhdbajE8I/AAAAAAAAgFw/S1SAnrNuc6MKmEJBAzkWt8dIMfK8vTY-QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05547.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHMynCLuX-E/YTVhdUyN3fI/AAAAAAAAgFw/eIezS-uR5R0dPa1o8fiFzJzMNUt5wOCLACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05542.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHMynCLuX-E/YTVhdUyN3fI/AAAAAAAAgFw/eIezS-uR5R0dPa1o8fiFzJzMNUt5wOCLACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05542.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4PxgwHhaA0/YTVhdTcvvvI/AAAAAAAAgFw/XAoRr8llyTQeX7bPBDKlPvm6Fp_aP9v3QCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05537.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4PxgwHhaA0/YTVhdTcvvvI/AAAAAAAAgFw/XAoRr8llyTQeX7bPBDKlPvm6Fp_aP9v3QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05537.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Crescent</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7tc5XyEUGE/YTVc0ZY0swI/AAAAAAAAgCo/iRtkYuo7dxICshlDujJrb_SLAul9WkN2QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210830_114859.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7tc5XyEUGE/YTVc0ZY0swI/AAAAAAAAgCo/iRtkYuo7dxICshlDujJrb_SLAul9WkN2QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210830_114859.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's and Ewok hiding behind Kelly.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owjnvPeHBoo/YTVc0Z54_6I/AAAAAAAAgCo/lxMRzbE9-Zs9g4Ab3PigNQxJFtItmktyQCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/20210830_120930.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owjnvPeHBoo/YTVc0Z54_6I/AAAAAAAAgCo/lxMRzbE9-Zs9g4Ab3PigNQxJFtItmktyQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210830_120930.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marymere Falls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-udAF7DgRkN8/YTVc0bNwGxI/AAAAAAAAgCo/s9QOvm53DLUEBwGkSdXYIMVPOsi0_zWdQCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05554.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-udAF7DgRkN8/YTVc0bNwGxI/AAAAAAAAgCo/s9QOvm53DLUEBwGkSdXYIMVPOsi0_zWdQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05554.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILFjp4mC-4c/YTVc0SqmS4I/AAAAAAAAgCo/Z0lb23FO3UMVVrQ3iuMzk9peS2aRKKLggCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05552.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="3264" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILFjp4mC-4c/YTVc0SqmS4I/AAAAAAAAgCo/Z0lb23FO3UMVVrQ3iuMzk9peS2aRKKLggCPcBGAsYHg/w426-h640/DSC05552.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Esvs50PW7AI/YTVc0VjP_KI/AAAAAAAAgCo/SbEbA7sUqpglCaOK2b8hP_eYNGAtnOjtwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05558.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Esvs50PW7AI/YTVc0VjP_KI/AAAAAAAAgCo/SbEbA7sUqpglCaOK2b8hP_eYNGAtnOjtwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05558.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kvn48l0qu9s/YTVc0ftxQLI/AAAAAAAAgCo/OFwpQN23MBUgpWfWMmUb13eSgvYCE4hLACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05561.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kvn48l0qu9s/YTVc0ftxQLI/AAAAAAAAgCo/OFwpQN23MBUgpWfWMmUb13eSgvYCE4hLACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05561.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>big trees</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JTSetSEbWlg/YTVc0XYzpnI/AAAAAAAAgCo/JOstZznmtUYSo927pbcstvtzRGOLugqmQCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05560.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JTSetSEbWlg/YTVc0XYzpnI/AAAAAAAAgCo/JOstZznmtUYSo927pbcstvtzRGOLugqmQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05560.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>yikes!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viJAlllljps/YTVkBF0iZfI/AAAAAAAAgGE/z6aMVw_4xW8dej8UAskVgCNwnu_YRqizACLcBGAsYHQ/s483/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-09-05%2Bat%2B7.37.51%2BPM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="301" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viJAlllljps/YTVkBF0iZfI/AAAAAAAAgGE/z6aMVw_4xW8dej8UAskVgCNwnu_YRqizACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-09-05%2Bat%2B7.37.51%2BPM.png" width="199" /></a>With another long drive ahead of us, we retraced our steps along the north coast of the Olympic peninsula so we could head toward Lake Cushman on Hwy 101. Along the way, we happened upon a turnoff for <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/olympic/recarea/?recid=47889">Mt. Walker</a>. We followed the dirt road as it corkscrewed up the mountain to 2,800 feet in to the clouds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When we reached the top, we were in a cloud with palpable mist gathering on the tips of our hats. We looked out over the ledge to see cedar-covered peaks appear and disappear in the gloom.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hdTL3NssDM/YTVk3PVxMfI/AAAAAAAAgGM/VgBPSHO6eGc758rah-Ug1uTFzmGbySVXACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210830_151019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hdTL3NssDM/YTVk3PVxMfI/AAAAAAAAgGM/VgBPSHO6eGc758rah-Ug1uTFzmGbySVXACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210830_151019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We continued driving through little lakeside towns with creeks and fishing boats moored to their docks. I imagined falling asleep in a hammock near a mosquito-less creek and knew I'd never let myself leave. We turned in to peaceful Lake Cushman and took in some lakeside views and the occasional roadside waterfall.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofRg5OZrcns/YTVn_SFiI9I/AAAAAAAAgGY/bY5GoiWMRJwo7Xz9HI8JeIvVc7_ywwyPgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210830_164357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofRg5OZrcns/YTVn_SFiI9I/AAAAAAAAgGY/bY5GoiWMRJwo7Xz9HI8JeIvVc7_ywwyPgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210830_164357.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Exhausted once again, we drove through Olympia and Tacoma on our way back to north Seattle. We found some fantastic Korean food at a place called K-Town in Olympia that I highly recommend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We dropped off the car that night because it made more sense to do that in the evening than to drive to north Seattle and then all the way back down south to SEATAC first thing in the morning. The train ride back to the house was smooth and peaceful. I love public transportation!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 5: Fremont and such</h2><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ge4yMhELdDs/YTVsU9X07dI/AAAAAAAAgGo/5vsddzvQKwsDSl8QrdDPLFQab44_mEOzQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210831_091332.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ge4yMhELdDs/YTVsU9X07dI/AAAAAAAAgGo/5vsddzvQKwsDSl8QrdDPLFQab44_mEOzQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20210831_091332.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />Our Tuesday started with a brisk southward walk to the north end of Green Lake, which is apparently populated by domestic rabbits that have gone feral. We crossed under I-5 to <a href="http://www.waywardvegancafe.com/">The Wayward Vegan Cafe</a> where we filled up on a hearty breakfast crunch wrap. We walked the the future home of some friends who are moving to Seattle to give them a preview of the neighborhood. We approve!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A bus took us down to the Fremont Bridge, where we crossed to find the famous Vintage Mall, Theo Chocolate, Gas Works Park, and a troll!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPyF8PiZKwU/YTVs9YY3osI/AAAAAAAAgGw/2bpCR1QA4_wE95K366k04VcPeYnkxWS-gCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05565.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPyF8PiZKwU/YTVs9YY3osI/AAAAAAAAgGw/2bpCR1QA4_wE95K366k04VcPeYnkxWS-gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05565.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UA64KwmSJ2s/YTVs9WmJMII/AAAAAAAAgGw/sbrcwwAyMWAlRix5dCgKLO0k1nN55X6VACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210831_111509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UA64KwmSJ2s/YTVs9WmJMII/AAAAAAAAgGw/sbrcwwAyMWAlRix5dCgKLO0k1nN55X6VACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210831_111509.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pky_qlT3MN0/YTVs9deoznI/AAAAAAAAgGw/atTOReMndA87kxRIQq7eIT1AgjMQfGPXgCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/20210831_114830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pky_qlT3MN0/YTVs9deoznI/AAAAAAAAgGw/atTOReMndA87kxRIQq7eIT1AgjMQfGPXgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210831_114830.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ay8vPTJ05UU/YTVs9WC7tPI/AAAAAAAAgGw/L5_sNw7hFBcRU12DGTNHgyBbx53OWJluQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210831_115706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ay8vPTJ05UU/YTVs9WC7tPI/AAAAAAAAgGw/L5_sNw7hFBcRU12DGTNHgyBbx53OWJluQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210831_115706.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FTlendJkKlY/YTVs9X5zGhI/AAAAAAAAgGw/e8JiprNIrU8IkLpJmiMRp_7eO4R5Yin4ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210831_120814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FTlendJkKlY/YTVs9X5zGhI/AAAAAAAAgGw/e8JiprNIrU8IkLpJmiMRp_7eO4R5Yin4ACPcBGAsYHg/w360-h640/20210831_120814.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pCskA4lP8uc/YTVs9Y-kMEI/AAAAAAAAgGw/O_l28mBLA6INU37wshmcn-7HFWJiMj8yACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210831_131705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pCskA4lP8uc/YTVs9Y-kMEI/AAAAAAAAgGw/O_l28mBLA6INU37wshmcn-7HFWJiMj8yACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210831_131705.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4IwoYoQHVLo/YTVs9dva8RI/AAAAAAAAgGw/uSJJxCTYv5EJDPJhohFwKD77KIOI3rKtACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210831_130232.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4IwoYoQHVLo/YTVs9dva8RI/AAAAAAAAgGw/uSJJxCTYv5EJDPJhohFwKD77KIOI3rKtACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210831_130232.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">across the Sound from downtown at Gas Works Park</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hBj_A5J9x9Q/YTVs9bp-TDI/AAAAAAAAgGw/LqABLJIUcuYdXvtC4G934Huf20LEPvi8gCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05574.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="3264" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hBj_A5J9x9Q/YTVs9bp-TDI/AAAAAAAAgGw/LqABLJIUcuYdXvtC4G934Huf20LEPvi8gCPcBGAsYHg/w426-h640/DSC05574.JPG" width="426" /></a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mixAvO-qIL0/YTVs9W86dnI/AAAAAAAAgGw/n6LbYppx9N8BVVVNRNGeTB4WiO-sLt4SQCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05569.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mixAvO-qIL0/YTVs9W86dnI/AAAAAAAAgGw/n6LbYppx9N8BVVVNRNGeTB4WiO-sLt4SQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05569.JPG" width="640" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mixAvO-qIL0/YTVs9W86dnI/AAAAAAAAgGw/n6LbYppx9N8BVVVNRNGeTB4WiO-sLt4SQCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05569.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dcl-TgOE96g/YTVs9R7UHNI/AAAAAAAAgGw/jOCNlzgzhpgpUFlnGjHwGARU_d_FQfXRgCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05578.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dcl-TgOE96g/YTVs9R7UHNI/AAAAAAAAgGw/jOCNlzgzhpgpUFlnGjHwGARU_d_FQfXRgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05578.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzB98yp8N2I/YTVxUBLwwLI/AAAAAAAAgHc/yVcyxncMCbMtZM4hn_r5flhkSO8IqcG_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210831_191812082.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzB98yp8N2I/YTVxUBLwwLI/AAAAAAAAgHc/yVcyxncMCbMtZM4hn_r5flhkSO8IqcG_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/PXL_20210831_191812082.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nope, nothing of interest in there.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HU0oqSH_Nvc/YTVxUMYoFLI/AAAAAAAAgHg/VlxSq-BqXFkIYJi-118E82NugVsQlpHJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210831_192009067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HU0oqSH_Nvc/YTVxUMYoFLI/AAAAAAAAgHg/VlxSq-BqXFkIYJi-118E82NugVsQlpHJwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/PXL_20210831_192009067.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vOEekZ9PlO0/YTVs9eLB50I/AAAAAAAAgGw/7dRQr-1WsPEp0QFb82qMo1ZDMMX9nd_vQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210831_135836.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vOEekZ9PlO0/YTVs9eLB50I/AAAAAAAAgGw/7dRQr-1WsPEp0QFb82qMo1ZDMMX9nd_vQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h225/20210831_135836.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Molly Moons' Ice cream!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">A bus took us to the University of Washington campus, where we just wandered for a bit to admire the architecture. Most of the buildings were closed and locked, so we took in the academic atmosphere for as long as we could stand, then boarded an ill-fated bus to the Washington Arboretum. Unfortunately, the bridge that goes to that Arboretum was not in service, and neither Google Maps nor the Seattle transit site warned us that the bus would just turn around before reaching our destination. That kind of wasted some of our time, so we took another bus to check out the I-5 Colonnade Mountain Bike Park. This is an impressive trail system built under a highway, so it's not soaking wet during the regions frequent rains. I'd love to come back and ride this some day!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qgthyIa8CU/YTVzEfVKhlI/AAAAAAAAgHs/byMaSEwknA0_uG2udkY692hART2dNLhzwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210831_164739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qgthyIa8CU/YTVzEfVKhlI/AAAAAAAAgHs/byMaSEwknA0_uG2udkY692hART2dNLhzwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210831_164739.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88lNpIYAG2Q/YTVzEYAZmgI/AAAAAAAAgHs/HFbpjyzAuxwV__uAGaAgDVzphkIRCV1cQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210831_164511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88lNpIYAG2Q/YTVzEYAZmgI/AAAAAAAAgHs/HFbpjyzAuxwV__uAGaAgDVzphkIRCV1cQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210831_164511.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1W1H-UHtiGY/YTVzEQnzjLI/AAAAAAAAgHs/H8DA8u365hUSdek0-xz4XGERF-p2Z9HWwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210831_165307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1W1H-UHtiGY/YTVzEQnzjLI/AAAAAAAAgHs/H8DA8u365hUSdek0-xz4XGERF-p2Z9HWwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210831_165307.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMyDQodvnO0/YTVzESDdiyI/AAAAAAAAgHs/6rMzIIC_2o0M5fo6zRZ37dUa-z3Lu0I_wCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05581.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMyDQodvnO0/YTVzESDdiyI/AAAAAAAAgHs/6rMzIIC_2o0M5fo6zRZ37dUa-z3Lu0I_wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05581.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After all the vert we'd traversed over the past few days, we were not in the mood to ascend the Howe Street Stairs. We were in awe of the people who appear to do it daily, though!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_7PDVS8E_Q/YTVzEUMuFZI/AAAAAAAAgHs/nqwEKo8TddgW5bMQ3QrMNKzr_lO8k0qDgCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05584.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_7PDVS8E_Q/YTVzEUMuFZI/AAAAAAAAgHs/nqwEKo8TddgW5bMQ3QrMNKzr_lO8k0qDgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05584.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We wandered back into the City Center for one last time for dinner at the Whisky Bar.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="text-align: center;">Day 6, Portland</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An early ride to King Street Station near Seattle's Chinatown got us to an Amtrak train to Portland. It was a smooth ride to the Rose City and we arrived feeling refreshed. Downtown Portland's first impression is the sad state of the homeless population. It's really stark. I never felt unsafe, just sad for the people living in these conditions. Some seemed really down and out, out of touch with reality. I am sure I'd be in a similar state after just a few weeks of living out in the elements where most people ignore my humanity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We found a kiosk that sells bus passes and headed to our temporary home on the north side to set down our bags and plan our day. It was early afternoon by the time we got started.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was able to contact my old friend Jordan, with whom I attended high school and spent much of that period riding BMX bikes in Indianapolis, and later in Austin. Jordan was a tremendous positive influence on my life all those years and one of the few people who made it to our wedding 17 years ago, so it was great to catch up with him for the afternoon over some pizza from Virtuous Pie. He had a busy day, so he dropped us off at the famous Burnside Skatepark.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5PGuTmcP0o/YTYM63-ZJeI/AAAAAAAAgIA/rlWWuZZqQbIbb3NAeG6Kv592Zdb77Du5wCPcBGAsYHg/s6658/20210901_142131.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2403" data-original-width="6658" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5PGuTmcP0o/YTYM63-ZJeI/AAAAAAAAgIA/rlWWuZZqQbIbb3NAeG6Kv592Zdb77Du5wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h230/20210901_142131.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">visiting a skatepark you've seen in dozens of videos is like meeting a celebrity.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5p_YeyERiLg/YTYM6zsYR7I/AAAAAAAAgIA/od_zw-SpOsE6cu0LaNyiV3kMvL7uvu_jACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210901_141007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5p_YeyERiLg/YTYM6zsYR7I/AAAAAAAAgIA/od_zw-SpOsE6cu0LaNyiV3kMvL7uvu_jACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210901_141007.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Est. 1996</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>From there, we headed back into downtown to experience the sprawling Powell's City of Books and cool down with some shaved ice before heading to Washington Park. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ85wo0OBy4/YTYN5vgUdBI/AAAAAAAAgIM/DBc-sIexlycp8Q3XcQ8pZvLvAmHEgU5HQCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/20210901_143544.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ85wo0OBy4/YTYN5vgUdBI/AAAAAAAAgIM/DBc-sIexlycp8Q3XcQ8pZvLvAmHEgU5HQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210901_143544.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">staring into the sun makes for squinty photos</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aAOgcybUZrk/YTYN5sTKszI/AAAAAAAAgIM/0NH9YbdTEl4TJ52EY5L_JjF03xxMFlFnwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210901_152657.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aAOgcybUZrk/YTYN5sTKszI/AAAAAAAAgIM/0NH9YbdTEl4TJ52EY5L_JjF03xxMFlFnwCPcBGAsYHg/w225-h400/20210901_152657.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flavor: "delicious"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gh6IOhfouoY/YTYN5q4N8GI/AAAAAAAAgIM/s01Kf5jNmcAIq1fdM9PkxcuCqpwhHAsfQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210901_150330.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gh6IOhfouoY/YTYN5q4N8GI/AAAAAAAAgIM/s01Kf5jNmcAIq1fdM9PkxcuCqpwhHAsfQCPcBGAsYHg/w225-h400/20210901_150330.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland weens</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1Lgb0rdOlc/YTYN5rzBA5I/AAAAAAAAgIM/kN3mx4-8EUwxt-Up2PsxGYuJ7r7C4Ns7wCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05590.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1Lgb0rdOlc/YTYN5rzBA5I/AAAAAAAAgIM/kN3mx4-8EUwxt-Up2PsxGYuJ7r7C4Ns7wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05590.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>We made our way out to Washington Park to experience its vast rose garden, the Holocaust Memorial, and some trails, then walked back to to Vtopia for some snacks. Along the way, we looked for a concrete panel on the sidewalk that supposedly holds an etching of Bart Simpson that Matt Groening draw, but we could not find it. Might not be there anymore. We took the bus back north for dinner at Banh Mi Up. Alberta Street seemed like hip nightlife place, but a lot of places close early right now.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ0mjCfMK0k/YTZcvz3ifaI/AAAAAAAAgI0/_yP0ZXohCoIwozJPfPQahijEPRDgpxZtQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210901_195751.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ0mjCfMK0k/YTZcvz3ifaI/AAAAAAAAgI0/_yP0ZXohCoIwozJPfPQahijEPRDgpxZtQCPcBGAsYHg/w225-h400/20210901_195751.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alberta St. art<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;">Day 7, Multonomah Falls/ Hood River</h2><div>Cascades Area Transit has a heck of a deal in the "GOrge Pass" that takes visitors from eastern Portland out to Multonomah Falls and Hood River for $15. We got up at our usual early hour and bussed our way out to the GOrge stop, stopping for coffee and Blue Star Donuts along the way, and boarded around 8 a.m. The bus follows the Columbia River and drops you off right in front of the falls. We hiked up to the very top of the falls, which is hard work! Eleven switchbacks and over 700 feet of elevation over just 2.2 miles.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VwksXlZ7PT4/YTZebLd-G8I/AAAAAAAAgJA/5ZfVr-tJQDou-X5DDgkr0m0hvOi_UJYtQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210902_093459.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VwksXlZ7PT4/YTZebLd-G8I/AAAAAAAAgJA/5ZfVr-tJQDou-X5DDgkr0m0hvOi_UJYtQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210902_093459.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that's a lot of vert</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JXj56uKiEoY/YTZerJMq24I/AAAAAAAAgJE/13NsJSe5Lz4rYeDh1giH8Oq74AHGS-K1wCPcBGAsYHg/s2268/IMG_20210902_113940_460.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JXj56uKiEoY/YTZerJMq24I/AAAAAAAAgJE/13NsJSe5Lz4rYeDh1giH8Oq74AHGS-K1wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/IMG_20210902_113940_460.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larch Mountain Trail, side trail from the top of the falls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSIqoek-z2Q/YTZebCksioI/AAAAAAAAgJA/jgicb_me4oM4tSQngYlEotKf0oPVZUL5gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210902_095631.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSIqoek-z2Q/YTZebCksioI/AAAAAAAAgJA/jgicb_me4oM4tSQngYlEotKf0oPVZUL5gCPcBGAsYHg/w360-h640/20210902_095631.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking west down the Columbia from atop the falls.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n0TAhzR7-Ws/YTZebCc_1rI/AAAAAAAAgJA/-5BgcaY3b9IEQdpc0RG3Ar5FHnDASsDxACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05593.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="3264" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n0TAhzR7-Ws/YTZebCc_1rI/AAAAAAAAgJA/-5BgcaY3b9IEQdpc0RG3Ar5FHnDASsDxACPcBGAsYHg/w426-h640/DSC05593.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">postcard-style photo of the falls from the base</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jMtbS7FfIE/YTZebEiXUXI/AAAAAAAAgJA/SWcA3E1N-yY0d-JEyb2bW39PGfjuJUpyACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05599.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jMtbS7FfIE/YTZebEiXUXI/AAAAAAAAgJA/SWcA3E1N-yY0d-JEyb2bW39PGfjuJUpyACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05599.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took a risk dangling my phone over the top of this 600-foot drop. Worth it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yia8pOU3dvo/YTZebNsmVOI/AAAAAAAAgJA/uxPxTYbeTyQxNh4MRwaO3mbfP8Y1c45_ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210902_122820.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yia8pOU3dvo/YTZebNsmVOI/AAAAAAAAgJA/uxPxTYbeTyQxNh4MRwaO3mbfP8Y1c45_ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210902_122820.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">railroad bridge runs right past the park at the base.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWxylsHLBZ0/YTZebJDdzYI/AAAAAAAAgJA/JRc3NAKBFmM9skIQCm29sKrDsTPRXCa8wCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05613.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWxylsHLBZ0/YTZebJDdzYI/AAAAAAAAgJA/JRc3NAKBFmM9skIQCm29sKrDsTPRXCa8wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05613.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">obligatory tourist bridge photo spot.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8NWzrHESaTI/YTZebEjCxhI/AAAAAAAAgJA/uA525qTWcmUppmP1-hyyCQcRbXvl-t1dgCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05608.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8NWzrHESaTI/YTZebEjCxhI/AAAAAAAAgJA/uA525qTWcmUppmP1-hyyCQcRbXvl-t1dgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05608.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">top of the lower falls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ht1sBQD3VOM/YTZebNZmKWI/AAAAAAAAgJA/u8nOg0nwqkQ6J_ZVShqK0FLTIuc9wdxkgCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05607.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ht1sBQD3VOM/YTZebNZmKWI/AAAAAAAAgJA/u8nOg0nwqkQ6J_ZVShqK0FLTIuc9wdxkgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05607.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">few from behind a stump about halfway up the falls.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I asked a ranger about the scorched trees along the hike. She said that a few years ago, a teenager on vacation with his family decided to set off some fireworks at the top of the falls. The fire was fortunately contained, but the family will be paying off fines for many years to come.<div><br /></div><div>We dallied a little too long to get on the next bus and spent an extra hour people-watching and soaking in the cool, sunny morning before hopping back on to the bus for Hood River. It seems like a quiet town that survives on river and trail tourism, plus a few breweries. The company that makes Tofurkey is also there. We had a late lunch at Full Sail before walking back to the bus stop. We checked out the Hood River skateparks on the way, which cemented my plans to start skating again. That place looks like a ton of fun.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LWeO2BArYoM/YTZhaA5A1qI/AAAAAAAAgJU/RGwnwgKNqtIEJJkDXlgWXsmQQcIyei7gwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210902_142238.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LWeO2BArYoM/YTZhaA5A1qI/AAAAAAAAgJU/RGwnwgKNqtIEJJkDXlgWXsmQQcIyei7gwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210902_142238.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full Sail had tasty food and drinks. I regret eating all my fries, though. Bloat!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knhuIy0NY9U/YTZhaN4d8uI/AAAAAAAAgJU/STzSDW4nUfoA0RskFLlT0jrqFy2jxPKTACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210902_153307.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knhuIy0NY9U/YTZhaN4d8uI/AAAAAAAAgJU/STzSDW4nUfoA0RskFLlT0jrqFy2jxPKTACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210902_153307.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one corner of the sprawling Hood River skatepark.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>We ended our Portland evening at Ichiza Kitchen for dinner, plus dessert at a bar called Bye and Bye. Both excellent!</div><div><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Day 8, Oregon Coast (this is never going to end)</h2><div>Another early morning took us to Bowery Bagels for a quick bite, then we picked up a rental car and headed toward Astoria in the state's northwest corner. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mO_WTUkR7E/YTZkTsmrQUI/AAAAAAAAgJg/1PnSJqiOkw8w0kxv203TvYnP5O-abEIewCLcBGAsYHQ/s642/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-09-06%2Bat%2B1.55.58%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="642" height="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mO_WTUkR7E/YTZkTsmrQUI/AAAAAAAAgJg/1PnSJqiOkw8w0kxv203TvYnP5O-abEIewCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h281/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-09-06%2Bat%2B1.55.58%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">day trip?<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Astoria was much prettier than I expected. At the waterfront, a fog enveloped the bay and I could hear marine mammals (sea lions or seals?) barking in the distance.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tw4x_Nlv4hQ/YTZljHS33kI/AAAAAAAAgJo/C0zvhYqB9uQckZzKJl0LirY6_IodL8stACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05640.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tw4x_Nlv4hQ/YTZljHS33kI/AAAAAAAAgJo/C0zvhYqB9uQckZzKJl0LirY6_IodL8stACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05640.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72sTPvTID3A/YTZljN31BPI/AAAAAAAAgJo/tYXzuwZi7pgwzehomOitistGY1kn33AnACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05642.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72sTPvTID3A/YTZljN31BPI/AAAAAAAAgJo/tYXzuwZi7pgwzehomOitistGY1kn33AnACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05642.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W6xzROuFOHY/YTZljAtxakI/AAAAAAAAgJo/HTwUZ8xikgELxoO5f1ZnGWdfaJdSWbaSwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05647.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W6xzROuFOHY/YTZljAtxakI/AAAAAAAAgJo/HTwUZ8xikgELxoO5f1ZnGWdfaJdSWbaSwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05647.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1G55QVI0Hg/YTZljETvo5I/AAAAAAAAgJo/T7xnY2ClzOM8-gQjQ7MwRDDiwHOA3lhTACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05649.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1G55QVI0Hg/YTZljETvo5I/AAAAAAAAgJo/T7xnY2ClzOM8-gQjQ7MwRDDiwHOA3lhTACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05649.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CEspfUIzZ4/YTZljN8F9EI/AAAAAAAAgJo/yN620kZIGnEzTzVPNMyuFXI7XwPR4T1NwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05650.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CEspfUIzZ4/YTZljN8F9EI/AAAAAAAAgJo/yN620kZIGnEzTzVPNMyuFXI7XwPR4T1NwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05650.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After taking our fill of the Astoria Riverwalk, I checked with the internet for a high vantage point. Very few of our stops were unplanned, but an impromptu drive to the Astoria Column proved to be worth our time! The $5 annual parking pass is a bargain.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GkzQnM9CYlg/YTZljEo1xhI/AAAAAAAAgJo/sJAwE375v84kHkGHzTDXCDZ6W_F8Ds7bgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210903_115442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GkzQnM9CYlg/YTZljEo1xhI/AAAAAAAAgJo/sJAwE375v84kHkGHzTDXCDZ6W_F8Ds7bgCPcBGAsYHg/w360-h640/20210903_115442.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mVyx3kmoSJk/YTZljFqT2eI/AAAAAAAAgJo/3zT6ZJyB7Wc-8ESVfPm7DZ-ntLlFoRETwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05657.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mVyx3kmoSJk/YTZljFqT2eI/AAAAAAAAgJo/3zT6ZJyB7Wc-8ESVfPm7DZ-ntLlFoRETwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05657.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe this is Youngs River</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwaBLbSwz8Q/YTZljK81FDI/AAAAAAAAgJo/QcBOQ8BiGHI-zg5eGRINCQHBj0L4yQOxACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05663.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwaBLbSwz8Q/YTZljK81FDI/AAAAAAAAgJo/QcBOQ8BiGHI-zg5eGRINCQHBj0L4yQOxACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05663.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the Column. Astoria-Megler Bridge in the mist.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>A short drive over a bridge took us into Fort Stevens State Park, where we found the remains of the Peter Iredale. The setting put me in the mood to experiment with b&w photography there.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFdadBC8ats/YTZnlKhQ4oI/AAAAAAAAgJ0/MPwKiHq41vs-mltw7115NR0pAYipN9LbACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210903_123444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFdadBC8ats/YTZnlKhQ4oI/AAAAAAAAgJ0/MPwKiHq41vs-mltw7115NR0pAYipN9LbACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210903_123444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpzebPP-RaE/YTZnlFRAi5I/AAAAAAAAgJ0/cQV5E5ij_PkD5ZyIZQw4XDJmfE__ZERGwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210903_123414.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpzebPP-RaE/YTZnlFRAi5I/AAAAAAAAgJ0/cQV5E5ij_PkD5ZyIZQw4XDJmfE__ZERGwCPcBGAsYHg/w360-h640/20210903_123414.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandy toes > sandy shoes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0FOW2df_-AE/YTZnlGnmc1I/AAAAAAAAgJ0/OHTeIlgtHZsI32yz5xgsBRjtW0lN9xg1ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210903_124610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0FOW2df_-AE/YTZnlGnmc1I/AAAAAAAAgJ0/OHTeIlgtHZsI32yz5xgsBRjtW0lN9xg1ACPcBGAsYHg/w360-h640/20210903_124610.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGR3V1iet5k/YTZnlEM7EII/AAAAAAAAgJ0/j9QMksBUO543QbVoQeffriPjteuspK38QCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05666.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGR3V1iet5k/YTZnlEM7EII/AAAAAAAAgJ0/j9QMksBUO543QbVoQeffriPjteuspK38QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05666.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iryl7eajr8/YTZnlKDx9wI/AAAAAAAAgJ0/FGWdxxPoUwcu7LHFBoY8rmwowV9dME0ZwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05667.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iryl7eajr8/YTZnlKDx9wI/AAAAAAAAgJ0/FGWdxxPoUwcu7LHFBoY8rmwowV9dME0ZwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05667.JPG" width="640" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--o3SJV3PG2A/YTZpAW-XtgI/AAAAAAAAgKA/SgaqDOLr_Igc1Ol2fPxtDF6j1-4HJPFugCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05684.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--o3SJV3PG2A/YTZpAW-XtgI/AAAAAAAAgKA/SgaqDOLr_Igc1Ol2fPxtDF6j1-4HJPFugCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05684.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's Jonathan?</td></tr></tbody></table></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Next stop on our coastal tour was Ecola State Park and Cannon Beach. We hiked around the trails north of Cannon, where we could see Haystack Rock in the distance. Apparently, scenes from The Goonies were filmed here. I tried to watch that movie recently an no amount of nostalgia can overcome the annoying fact that children yell every line of dialog in that movie. It is unwatchable now.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QR4QJU7ZR4w/YTZpAZtbKYI/AAAAAAAAgKA/TIS7bmCCJesptS-cFR5n9Kf9Emy0Y5ReACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210903_140112.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QR4QJU7ZR4w/YTZpAZtbKYI/AAAAAAAAgKA/TIS7bmCCJesptS-cFR5n9Kf9Emy0Y5ReACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210903_140112.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haystack Rock in the distance.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekBCX5mK-VM/YTZpAch7RpI/AAAAAAAAgKA/Eiv3s6UQBQMFsB_fI6p1L7tM09ly0bWaACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210903_141556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekBCX5mK-VM/YTZpAch7RpI/AAAAAAAAgKA/Eiv3s6UQBQMFsB_fI6p1L7tM09ly0bWaACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210903_141556.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FIf9xOp3FKw/YTZpAXHJ85I/AAAAAAAAgKA/yE3UD_V14sQljrSWt90hxbv_rDzEEsqggCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05698.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FIf9xOp3FKw/YTZpAXHJ85I/AAAAAAAAgKA/yE3UD_V14sQljrSWt90hxbv_rDzEEsqggCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05698.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly always finds the best snacks.</td></tr></tbody></table><br style="text-align: left;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hYuxSTXtJEs/YTZpAcWvHlI/AAAAAAAAgKA/o_l0b_FFS04zYH3o57QSBzZ88Rw7YgKHwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05699.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hYuxSTXtJEs/YTZpAcWvHlI/AAAAAAAAgKA/o_l0b_FFS04zYH3o57QSBzZ88Rw7YgKHwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05699.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trail in Ecola</td></tr></tbody></table><br style="text-align: left;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTje9doMh8k/YTZpAQPGDxI/AAAAAAAAgKA/xyrXDY6720k698S0omQT3md0xXJhf0iPACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05701.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTje9doMh8k/YTZpAQPGDxI/AAAAAAAAgKA/xyrXDY6720k698S0omQT3md0xXJhf0iPACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05701.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">northward viewpoint in Ecola</td></tr></tbody></table><br style="text-align: left;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jC0bA2gaAhk/YTZpAfbL-0I/AAAAAAAAgKA/TZizGt5mz7IALByzgHql1g0MjM8EkMUzgCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05707.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jC0bA2gaAhk/YTZpAfbL-0I/AAAAAAAAgKA/TZizGt5mz7IALByzgHql1g0MjM8EkMUzgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05707.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little creek in Ecola</td></tr></tbody></table><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mj9GfZXseGw/YTZpASg5MnI/AAAAAAAAgKA/l_PNzMLbnbUmY4xu3qZkQHLDLwAB8xYKwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05704.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mj9GfZXseGw/YTZpASg5MnI/AAAAAAAAgKA/l_PNzMLbnbUmY4xu3qZkQHLDLwAB8xYKwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05704.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaTL2phjLI4/YTZpASWQVkI/AAAAAAAAgKA/_8ipDJGGy-UFIbOIGKbf20-npslvzxU5ACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05702.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaTL2phjLI4/YTZpASWQVkI/AAAAAAAAgKA/_8ipDJGGy-UFIbOIGKbf20-npslvzxU5ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05702.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A short highway drive took us to Cannon Beach, which was getting pretty busy. The dense fog diffused the bright sunlight most of the time, giving the beach an eerie feel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95ZjdQzs2IE/YTZpAdDZVpI/AAAAAAAAgKA/rGE3U99_i9E59YuMeXBjpsd71TmDbUuRwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210903_151145.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95ZjdQzs2IE/YTZpAdDZVpI/AAAAAAAAgKA/rGE3U99_i9E59YuMeXBjpsd71TmDbUuRwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210903_151145.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-Cannon Beach snacks.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_eR7d5pwfA/YTZpAW6jaVI/AAAAAAAAgKA/3Neig1BAMl04Txl8O7HRDaK-2U7eq98sACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210903_161454.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_eR7d5pwfA/YTZpAW6jaVI/AAAAAAAAgKA/3Neig1BAMl04Txl8O7HRDaK-2U7eq98sACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210903_161454.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog drifted on and off the beach the whole time we visited Haystack.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpmMTeSG2LA/YTZvz6-Rb9I/AAAAAAAAgKM/WOe1hTzlxRErPC4eQRDicKxW22b87EZFwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05708.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpmMTeSG2LA/YTZvz6-Rb9I/AAAAAAAAgKM/WOe1hTzlxRErPC4eQRDicKxW22b87EZFwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05708.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looms.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dWHygyHf7RU/YTZvzz3X4DI/AAAAAAAAgKM/3jvtUpENmkIaPOU8fa1mPgMXkZ02fLwugCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05716.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dWHygyHf7RU/YTZvzz3X4DI/AAAAAAAAgKM/3jvtUpENmkIaPOU8fa1mPgMXkZ02fLwugCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05716.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">watch where you step!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fuiQrBGcarI/YTZvzzWYAPI/AAAAAAAAgKM/WT2vY530GewYIKRmDi1a2la7xXYI6EBfwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05712.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fuiQrBGcarI/YTZvzzWYAPI/AAAAAAAAgKM/WT2vY530GewYIKRmDi1a2la7xXYI6EBfwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05712.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6gKVBwgcpg/YTZvz3ko3MI/AAAAAAAAgKM/bEPA_5us1q08ObZz1k1LfQTMTkah2YkCgCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05717.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6gKVBwgcpg/YTZvz3ko3MI/AAAAAAAAgKM/bEPA_5us1q08ObZz1k1LfQTMTkah2YkCgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05717.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLYaX0YKQrI/YTZvzwj3ZwI/AAAAAAAAgKM/aESkNCuw6ZsKkcslwQaKJFnRAQm-mwIfACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05722.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLYaX0YKQrI/YTZvzwj3ZwI/AAAAAAAAgKM/aESkNCuw6ZsKkcslwQaKJFnRAQm-mwIfACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05722.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_JHyrxFTEM/YTZvz_hID8I/AAAAAAAAgKM/FwwI1a2Zs08JgN_CgKwTLm12vFSJD_t-ACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05719.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_JHyrxFTEM/YTZvz_hID8I/AAAAAAAAgKM/FwwI1a2Zs08JgN_CgKwTLm12vFSJD_t-ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05719.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3NvM4rw4-U/YTZvz4AI5WI/AAAAAAAAgKM/9SHC7M1UbKMCi7X4uHjOF67aUOhE4U7vwCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/20210903_160452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3NvM4rw4-U/YTZvz4AI5WI/AAAAAAAAgKM/9SHC7M1UbKMCi7X4uHjOF67aUOhE4U7vwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210903_160452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We walked the beach from north to south in our bare feet. When we exited the beach south of Haystack, our feet were too sandy to put back in our socks (ew!), so we walked the cool roadside pavement barefooted a short distance back to the car.<div><br /></div><div>Hug Point is so-named because of the way travelers had to hug the edge of the rocks along the beach to pass it before traveling by modern roads were created. It's a stunning place full of cliffs and rocks to scramble over.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fB8NMx2An80/YTZx5B77wNI/AAAAAAAAgKY/StSCl5pcWZwhImkWK7Y2KJoMc88oUGliACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05726.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fB8NMx2An80/YTZx5B77wNI/AAAAAAAAgKY/StSCl5pcWZwhImkWK7Y2KJoMc88oUGliACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05726.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">creek flowing from the woods to the beach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgzoSw0G4cE/YTZx5IfjjwI/AAAAAAAAgKY/enjNsUxSpXYqv71CqbLPygh2fkFu4TGEACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05729.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgzoSw0G4cE/YTZx5IfjjwI/AAAAAAAAgKY/enjNsUxSpXYqv71CqbLPygh2fkFu4TGEACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05729.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We followed the creek and I whacked my head really hard on that tree, which Kelly avoided with grace.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2dTp-aC-0c/YTZx5IGGLzI/AAAAAAAAgKY/TlVj27nkU_YWzp5zBVV57qoJ5NxjZWwVgCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05733.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2dTp-aC-0c/YTZx5IGGLzI/AAAAAAAAgKY/TlVj27nkU_YWzp5zBVV57qoJ5NxjZWwVgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05733.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTxxbYDs0-o/YTZx5Pypl1I/AAAAAAAAgKY/VU4_Rc6U46c2veqw-f7SMxLpwETOPXILwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05738.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTxxbYDs0-o/YTZx5Pypl1I/AAAAAAAAgKY/VU4_Rc6U46c2veqw-f7SMxLpwETOPXILwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05738.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3n5slHuJntI/YTZx5KZcFvI/AAAAAAAAgKY/HQ0FF6DAyQo2hrVV99WKNCiT8QfJhHU8ACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05740.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3n5slHuJntI/YTZx5KZcFvI/AAAAAAAAgKY/HQ0FF6DAyQo2hrVV99WKNCiT8QfJhHU8ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05740.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Sgaz-RbdyI/YTZx5Ii1qBI/AAAAAAAAgKY/ZkCGh_ib7-gMqT-sPYN8r2QvDCPvzu39gCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05747.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Sgaz-RbdyI/YTZx5Ii1qBI/AAAAAAAAgKY/ZkCGh_ib7-gMqT-sPYN8r2QvDCPvzu39gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05747.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is the passage that gives Hug Point its name. You can walk right up this ramp if the tide is out.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mM8cdowwBSY/YTZx5Gd8FII/AAAAAAAAgKY/X-va8H86J_IPue-Tn-hsoscGN9RvyEcEACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05751.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mM8cdowwBSY/YTZx5Gd8FII/AAAAAAAAgKY/X-va8H86J_IPue-Tn-hsoscGN9RvyEcEACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05751.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDy_VLvGR3U/YTZx5G6yboI/AAAAAAAAgKY/SSQi4YTAgQ86b5KM0fh5qbzT1w7kVg1cACPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05752.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDy_VLvGR3U/YTZx5G6yboI/AAAAAAAAgKY/SSQi4YTAgQ86b5KM0fh5qbzT1w7kVg1cACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05752.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ifjK-Qt2VDY/YTZx5Lz6kmI/AAAAAAAAgKY/ZWStsN7HKb85BGnmItuGPYUILz13zeSoQCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05753.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ifjK-Qt2VDY/YTZx5Lz6kmI/AAAAAAAAgKY/ZWStsN7HKb85BGnmItuGPYUILz13zeSoQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05753.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xxb6Ql2fYYs/YTZx5B9nHbI/AAAAAAAAgKY/3iAJt3RSXg0z73JFbJ-1nU9GS-FnSluIgCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05757.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xxb6Ql2fYYs/YTZx5B9nHbI/AAAAAAAAgKY/3iAJt3RSXg0z73JFbJ-1nU9GS-FnSluIgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05757.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">interesting strada of rock</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KuAzdaHgmcY/YTZx5GYTwRI/AAAAAAAAgKY/P7_jg-JqwAAzvl8LTwpHGVX0JP0qhqSWwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05746.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KuAzdaHgmcY/YTZx5GYTwRI/AAAAAAAAgKY/P7_jg-JqwAAzvl8LTwpHGVX0JP0qhqSWwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05746.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Heading further south through Tillamook, we turned off toward the beaches again. We should have planned this better because it's harder to navigate these sparsely populated residential streets than areas the popular with tourists. We ended up at a rather random beach at Cape Meares in time to watch the sun starting to set over the Pacific Ocean.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tfn2j1bUqJ4/YTZz9vbpHVI/AAAAAAAAgKk/qBks8ZRlelgZ8T3Ya-Jlx4gvP3X0MOMzQCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05758.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tfn2j1bUqJ4/YTZz9vbpHVI/AAAAAAAAgKk/qBks8ZRlelgZ8T3Ya-Jlx4gvP3X0MOMzQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05758.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly is making friends with the little creatures on the beach.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qerDzmlLZV4/YTZz9hk7p5I/AAAAAAAAgKk/4g_tcXSW4-Qq3w2WBcAzUpjQnLPzTft7wCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05762.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qerDzmlLZV4/YTZz9hk7p5I/AAAAAAAAgKk/4g_tcXSW4-Qq3w2WBcAzUpjQnLPzTft7wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05762.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_spEFL-0iU/YTZz9spRFjI/AAAAAAAAgKk/aXUiIoVhDrQSWjbPAOFzPVyoRL7xbPY9QCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05765.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_spEFL-0iU/YTZz9spRFjI/AAAAAAAAgKk/aXUiIoVhDrQSWjbPAOFzPVyoRL7xbPY9QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05765.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HROwG60q_Kc/YTZ0KlWyGgI/AAAAAAAAgKo/3aLOBDQ4zfEZtc3N3TBUuke5sE4W753_wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210903_183407.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HROwG60q_Kc/YTZ0KlWyGgI/AAAAAAAAgKo/3aLOBDQ4zfEZtc3N3TBUuke5sE4W753_wCPcBGAsYHg/w360-h640/20210903_183407.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">making sure the tourists understand.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Following the twisting roads along the Wilson River, we traversed the Tillamook State Forest back to Portland. I can only imagine what adventure await in among the hills there on my next visit!</div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last day, saying goodbye</h2><div>With little else to do, we drove to Washington Park once more to hike a bit. The park is part of a huge trail system, but we wanted to get another taste of the piney woods. We found the Witch's Castle before heading back to the city center to drop off the car.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6yZvg5jAPQ/YTZ3xF0KdAI/AAAAAAAAgK0/5jkaWtPurMgJHfPTU5wKzsv3LnwMIyDAACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210904_070344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6yZvg5jAPQ/YTZ3xF0KdAI/AAAAAAAAgK0/5jkaWtPurMgJHfPTU5wKzsv3LnwMIyDAACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210904_070344.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbxwfzUS4-4/YTZ3xFUkeCI/AAAAAAAAgK0/RuPKZzjGQdMDQgOLTpStXL8gBQZzGO_oACPcBGAsYHg/s3264/20210904_070410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbxwfzUS4-4/YTZ3xFUkeCI/AAAAAAAAgK0/RuPKZzjGQdMDQgOLTpStXL8gBQZzGO_oACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/20210904_070410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNk2edxQ0Uc/YTZ3xC4UC1I/AAAAAAAAgK0/uV3D2_XXqMQRcioDeFBIROkZQ_uRws4YwCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05766.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNk2edxQ0Uc/YTZ3xC4UC1I/AAAAAAAAgK0/uV3D2_XXqMQRcioDeFBIROkZQ_uRws4YwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5W-PmSwtgPQ/YTZ3xF95ZII/AAAAAAAAgK0/clJ3sVqApOsTeX8Xd8PQgWDlqMBr7ZPrQCPcBGAsYHg/s4912/DSC05771.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5W-PmSwtgPQ/YTZ3xF95ZII/AAAAAAAAgK0/clJ3sVqApOsTeX8Xd8PQgWDlqMBr7ZPrQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC05771.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Downtown, vendors were setting up shop on at the Saturday Market with t-shirts, art, and food trailers. We were there too early for anything, so we got some Stumptown coffee and walked along the waterfront to catch a bus over to Junior's for breakfast. Afterward, we walked through the historic <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/mDVmwSiJtiLwRjXXA">Ladd's Addition</a> neighborhood. We didn't know what to expect there, but the classic houses and planned streets with little rose garden parks were relaxing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back in the city, the Saturday Market was in full swing with vendors and buskers everywhere. We had just enough time in the early afternoon to wander a bit more before picking up our bags at our temporary house (thanks, Gregory!) and taking a train to the airport. It would be another long evening of flights through Las Vegas before a long, restful sleep in our own bed.</div>mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-36083843649635673052018-10-20T07:21:00.001-07:002018-10-20T07:39:18.792-07:00dumpster doveAmong the long list of bicycles I have owned, only two of them were purchased new, as complete bikes. The rest were cobbled together from different parts, some new and some old, in a series of constantly-evolving chimeras. The first was literally rescued from the trash.<br />
<br />
When I was between fifth and sixth grade (this places our story in 1993), my family moved a short distance from northern Illinois to southern Wisconsin. I spent the summer visiting an empty, rural lot we had purchased and watching a house spring out of the ground as a crew of friendly carpenters built the thing. That summer, we were between permanent residences, so I lived in a rented house, and, for a short time, a hotel that had free donuts every morning.<br />
<br />
The rental house' owners cleared out the garage before we moved in and among the "trash" left by the curb during the purge were three bicycles -- a crummy mountain bike and two BMX bikes. I was probably had outgrown the Huffy coaster brake-equipped BMX bike that we had purchased from Toys 'R' Us years earlier, so I rescued the bikes and combined the parts that I thought looked cool into one functional bicycle.<br />
<br />
I had no idea what I was doing. I remember distinctly that the final bike had black Skyway Tuff II mag wheels (the plastic ones with five spokes), and components with esoteric brands like ODI, Sugino, Sakae, and Dominator. The handlebar crossbar was shaped with a downward brend and had horizontal ribs around it, evidence that I could stand on them at some point to do some sort of stunt. It was all black with silver and chrome components, and no brakes.<br />
<br />
The frame had no markings on it but I later discovered that is was a late-model Schwinn Predator, a small, entry-level BMX race bike. We had to take it to a bike shop to have some generic brakes installed and have the hubs adjusted and that was that. It rolled, it stopped, what else could a kid possibly want from a bicycle?<br />
<br />
Everything, it turns out. Over the next four years, that bike was "upgraded" with every dollar I could squeeze out of my parents by doing chores or waiting for a few birthday checks to roll in. It ended up getting an <a href="http://www.23mag.com/com/odyssey/odyssey.htm"><span style="color: blue;">Gyro</span>, <span style="color: blue;">Hollow Bullet pegs</span>, and Pitbull brakes from Odyssey</a>, Peregrine Silver handlebar (Peregrine stuff was gorgeous, by the way), and some DK aluminum wheels (biggest improvement ever). Every time I scraped together enough cash from my first job at Culver's or mowed the lawn a dozen times to buy one of these items, my mom would mail a check to Dan's Competition in Indiana. The anticipation of waiting for the brown box on the doorstep was brutal. I never knew what to do with the XL sized white Dan's t-shirt they sent me with the order, though.<br />
<br />
Upgrading and maintaining an early-'90s dumpster-dove BMX bike taught me many valuable lessons:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Improvising with tools: an Ashtabula bottom bracket can be adjusted using a flat screwdriver and a slip-joint plier. Hub cone nuts can be tuned without a cone wrench if you're really determined. A 1/4 inch allen key is NOT a substitute for a 6 mm.</li>
<li>Skyway rims don't hold a tire at pressure much above 40 psi. In fact, the tire will slip off the rim and explode violently, usually after you have ridden several miles from home.</li>
<li>You can legally work in Wisconsin at the age of 14. The only reason I got a job at that age was to buy bike parts that sucked less than the ones I had.</li>
<li>Riding a bike with a bent handlebar, axles, pedals, and cranks is not that bad once you get used to it.</li>
<li>A heavy bike is only as heavy as you perception of weight allows based on comparable experience. It's best not to ride other kids' bikes, lest you learn what a tank yours is.</li>
<li>Making brakes work at all, much less well, on a BMX bike with a Gryo and Skyway mags is next-level bike mechanic kung-fu. Doing that with flimsy steel side-pull brakes is something else. My brakes always sucked.</li>
<li>Blaming your lack of skill on your equipment is a time-honored tradition but never gets in the way of fun.</li>
</ul>
<br />
The final lesson I learned is related to the defeat of the DIY spirit and succumbing to consumer mentality. Wisconsin winters are quite cold, but living in a house with a full-sized basement with concrete floors provided a year-round riding option for me.<br />
<br />
I was practicing an advanced (ha!) move called an "endo," in which you apply the front brake, force the front wheel to stop, thrust your weight forward and lift your rear wheel, pausing for a moment on just your front wheel, then pivot back down to two wheels and ride away. Or something. This is not that hard of a trick is you have fully-operational brakes, but the condition of my brakes required a fistful of brake lever and every ounce of my scrawny body to be thrust forward violently if I was to have any chance of getting the bike to stop. Most of the time, the brake failed to have much effect on the front wheel and I just slowed down.<br />
<br />
At one point, my bike decided it had had enough of this nonsense and my front dropout (the thin plate where the front axle is bolted on) snapped clean off my fork. I felt a crunch and my bike stopped moving. The bike was suddenly and completely unrideable as there was no longer a way to secure the front wheel onto it.<br />
<br />
This was quite mortifying to me because forks are expensive for a 13 year-olds budget (Craigslist wouldn't exist for another decade at least). My dad talked about having it welding back on, but the cost of doing so and the risk of it just breaking again left us shopping for a new fork.<br />
<br />
For the first time in my life, I committed to buying something really nice- a <a href="https://bmxmuseum.com/reference/4282">Kore Flatland fork</a>. I had probably seen images of this fork Ride BMX Magazine's infamous <a href="http://www.23mag.com/gens/gouin.htm">Chase Gouin</a> interview, along with his Morales frame and Graveyard components, things after which I also pined and eventually purchased. It was heavy, it was cool-looking, and it would very likely outlast everything else on the bike.<br />
<br />
This was another blow to my notion that everything should be fixed rather than replaced, but the first in a series of revelations that new stuff is better than old stuff, most of the time. I think it cost about $75 and totally out-classed everything else I had and for the first time, I felt good about buying something new.<br />
<br />
Just like everything, this fork was built to outlast its usefulness as the march of technology would make 1" threaded forks literally worthless. Standards changed and this fork would become of no practical use. I sold it for almost nothing around 2004 (had it lying in a box all those years) and just found it listed for close to $200 on eBay for its "vintage" appeal. This also cemented in my mind the ephemeral nature of every purchase I would make, and the implicit compromise made when I buy into some new idea. That will be the topic of another day.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQ9T0RyYtEI/W8s-DyGy8tI/AAAAAAAAPus/-fRweBeR_GUBZZWRfv6EFsWnYoXoWMzTgCLcBGAs/s1600/buckethead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQ9T0RyYtEI/W8s-DyGy8tI/AAAAAAAAPus/-fRweBeR_GUBZZWRfv6EFsWnYoXoWMzTgCLcBGAs/s320/buckethead.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-39496638456834455932018-10-19T06:33:00.001-07:002018-10-19T08:25:55.854-07:00the age of disappointmentOne of my earliest childhood memories involves a bicycle. I am pretty sure it was a <i>tri</i>cycle, in fact, but no one who was around for the event (my parents) can verify this. This event, as it turns out, had a profound effect on my life that resonates today as I navigate the adult world. It's a tale of a changing world from my parents' generation to mine, a clash of worldviews, and a sense of injustice I have not been able to shake, not that I care to.<br />
<br />
I must have been younger than five, when I distinctly recall my dad bringing me the bad news- someone (could have been a parent or a visiting friend), had run over my tricycle with a car. It was made apparent that this was my fault for leaving it in the driveway, although the lesson was probably not driven home too harshly. Little kids do stuff like that and don't need to be harangued about it to make it sink in.<br />
<br />
I don't remember much about the tricycle other than it has yellow plastic wheels and a chrome-plated frame. The rear horizontal bar that housed the axle had grip tape on it so you could stand and push it like a scooter, which was way more fun than pedaling it as soon as the rider is big enough to do so. Standing and pushing the tricycle was a major accomplishment, a "big kid" moment for me. My memory of it might not be objectively accurate, but the subjective experience is what made me who I am, so the inaccuracies stand as the only truth that counts.<br />
<br />
I think the rear axle had been mangled and one of the wheels flattened out, rendering it unrideable. Like most Americans raised in the '60s, my dad expected that any manufactured item could be repaired at a local hardware store or the retailer with readily available spare parts. Try as he might, the parts were not available. The best course of action was to throw the tricycle away and buy another one. True, someone with access to tools and materials might have been able to fabricate something to repair it, but that was not a realistic option for us at the moment. The tricycle was totaled because of one damaged component.<br />
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We didn't have a lot of money, and even if we did, the sense of impropriety for throwing away something and buying a new one seemed improper, savage even. The reality of the modern age was a shock to my dad, and was cemented as the unalterable trajectory of the future for me at the tender age of five.<br />
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It turns out that I am not alone in my sense of injustice at this. Many people resist, or pretend to, the throw-away culture that produces disposable goods at too-good-to-resist prices. There are often durable options (Rolls Royce makes car that last virtually forever, Chris King makes bicycle hubs with similar qualities) but those options are often cost-prohibitive to the average consumer. While many acknowledge the truth of "buy once, cry once" (meaning that, if you buy something expensive but durable, you only fret over that cost once because you won't have to replace it), we often resolve to buy the cheap option that we know <a href="https://xkcd.com/2033/"><span style="color: blue;">we'll have to replace when it wears out in short order</span></a>.<br />
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I feel like I need to "earn" the privilege of simply replacing something that is broken. I feel a drive to make a good-faith effort to repair, modify, even kludge something that is not working optimally, as if trying to fix something is an <a href="https://www.catholic.org/prayers/indulgc.php"><span style="color: blue;">indulgence</span></a> that I must endure before proceeding to enjoy the carnal pleasure of enjoying a functioning car, television, or bicycle. I'm not Catholic, by the way, but somehow that theological sense of appeasing the universe in exchange for my enjoyment of life has been ever present.<br />
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The pervasive presence of planned obsolescence has forced to us accept this, at great cost to the environment, our savings, and our sanity. Some resign themselves to not fight it, while others merely grumble about it. Very few move into the woods and isolate themselves in a suspended animation of technological progress. Most of us just accept it, despite that fact that that is the most cumulatively irrational but individually rational choice one can make. <a href="https://youtu.be/w2eNQ75wdq8"><span style="color: blue;">Arguing about it</span></a> makes buffoons out of anyone who engages the topic as the stakes create in a zero-sum game over the meaning of civilization.<br />
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While most of us resolve ourselves to replacing broken things, giving up before we begin to think about fixing it, there's a sense of "hell yeah" when we see someone succeed in bucking that trend. When you see a bicycle with a reinforced tube that was cracked and re-welded, a <a href="https://www.instructables.com/id/Swiss-Army-Keys-Key-and-Leatherman-Mod/"><span style="color: blue;">modified multi-tool that has house keys</span></a> instead of a bottle opener, or a <a href="https://youtu.be/pZ301QEoo9Y"><span style="color: blue;">car that plays everyone's favorite song</span></a> instead of a dull ping, there's a sense of triumph. Some of us have stolen fire from the gods and created something new in our own image.<br />
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<br />mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-1667756038681374882018-10-18T19:13:00.000-07:002018-10-19T06:33:53.145-07:00bike fitting: part three- reach and stack"Reach" and "stack" are a relatively new measurement being employed to understand bike fit, so it's taking a while for the cycling community to absorb it into their collective wisdom. Using reach and stack for bike fitting starts with the idea that the distance from the bottom bracket (center of the cranks) to the top of the head tube (there the fork goes into the frame) is not adjustable on any contemporary bicycle. (Exemptions to this are exceedingly few.)<br />
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Since you can adjust all kinds of things about your handlebar and saddle position by means of seatpost height and offset and stem/ handlebar choice, the stack and reach of the frame are the best way to predict how a bike will fit when you set it up to optimize handling by means of cockpit components -- handlebar and stem choice.<br />
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If you start at the center of the bottom bracket and draw a line straight up to a line level with the center of the top tube, that vertical distance is the <i>stack</i>. The horizontal distance from that imaginary vertical line through the bottom bracket to the center of the head tube is the <i>reach.</i><br />
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If you need help visualizing this (which is totally understandable), check out <a href="https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/Modern-Mountain-Bike-Geometry-Defined-Transition-Explains-Effective-Top-Tube-Versus-Reach,841"><span style="color: blue;">the way Transition Bikes illustrated it</span></a> for the benefit of Vital MTB readers a few years ago .<br />
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The point of this is to remove the saddle position from the equation. Whereas effective top tube is partially determined by seat tube angle (a steeper angle would shorten the effective top tube, a shallower angle would lengthen it), reach and stack are about where your feet are relative to your feet. This is important because, when riding a bicycle at "fun" speeds, you have to stand up and get your butt off the saddle -- quite a bit! With the mainstream adoption of dropper seatposts, the saddle is often literally nowhere that affects how the bike handles at all.<br />
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A frame's reach and stack are static, but how that plays out are somewhat adjustable. You can raise, lower, shorten, or lengthen the resulting <i>effective </i>reach and stack (where your hands grab your grips on the handlebar). Effective stack can be adjusted by grip height (amount of spacers, stack height of stem, height of headset top dust cover, rise of stem, handlebar rise) and effective reach is the result of the length of the stem, handlebar setback (resulting horizontal offset based on length and backward angle of handlebar).<br />
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These two measurements have a proportional relationship to one another. Reach and stack form a <i>right triangle</i>, the hypotenuse of which can be easily predicted by Pythagorean theorem. Do you remember your first geometry lesson? If not, it's time to review.<br />
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It is my belief that you can use this <i>effective downtube </i>measurement to some effect to know how a bike will fit and handle based on previous experience with other bikes. If you don't have experience with other bikes, it's time to demo and borrow some bikes to find out what works for <i>you</i>.<br />
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If you want a sophisticated, detailed calculator to determine truly how a bike will fit you from your feet to your hands, check out the <a href="https://www.llbmtb.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Lee Likes Bikes MTB school</span></a>. I have nothing to gain from plugging his services, but Lee McCormack knows a thing or three about wrangling a bike. Chances are, his advice will put you on a bike that is "small" relative to the long-low-slack scheme of bike fitting, but it's worth exploring his methods to learn how effective reach and stack affect how a bike fits and handles.<br />
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I won't comment on the specifics of what kind of reach is ideal for any rider or terrain. For me, as a person who is about 174 cm tall (that's 5' 8-1/2"), I can find ways to fit on a bike with a ETT of 595 mm to 615 mm or a reach of 410 mm to 450 mm. that's a huge range 1-1/2 inches is a lot when it comes to optimizing a bike fit), but other factors come into play.<br />
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The point is that reach and stack are a good way to understand the way a bike will fit you, once you've ridden a bike and know what you like or don't like about the way a bike handles relative to the way your hands are positioned relative to your hands.<br />
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One final caveat, and it's a big one, is that reach and stack don't necessarily mean the same thing from one manufacturer to another. This is because the reach and stack (and other measurements, for that matter) will change dramatically depending on where the fork and shock are in the travel. Look on the manufacturer's geometry chart and find the point where (hopefully they specified this) it tells you if this is the "sagged" measurement or the "static" one.<br />
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Most manufacturers will list the reach and stack of a bike based on those angles at "sag," which is where the angles of the bike will settle when a rider is mounted on the bike. This is usually considered to be 20-30% of the suspension travel, assuming this is a bike with suspension in the front, rear, or both ends. Typically, the angles and lengths will change relatively little on a full-suspension bike, but change noticeably on a hardtail.mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-19330326152120522852018-10-06T14:44:00.001-07:002018-10-06T14:44:28.283-07:00bike fitting: part two, effective top tube<i>Effective top tube</i>, often listed as ETT. This is a great number to look at to pick a frame that fits, but it has some shortcomings.<br />
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ETT is the distance from the center of the head tube (the short tube at the front of the bike where the fork goes through to steer) along an imaginary, horizontal line to where that line intersects with the seat post. You can try to measure this for yourself, but chances are that the manufacturer of your current bike has this listed somewhere, so look it up<br />
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This measurement tells you how far the front of the bike will be from the saddle, ig. how "long" your bike is. If all other angles and measurements on a bike remain the same, you could pick a frame size entirely based on ETT. That is not the case, to the extent that bikes among models vary from one model to another and the approach that manufacturers' take from one year to the next evolve over time. It's still a good place to start if you know what kind of bike you're looking at.<br />
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For reference, a medium frame cross-country mountain bike frame might possess an ETT of 590 to 615 mm, maybe longer, depending on the manufacturers' philosophy. modern bikes are generally getting longer in favor of a longer front end to the bike, which is usually tempered by a steeper seat tube angle (which makes the seat more forward on the bike) and a shorter stem length (which brings the bike backward).<br />
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My point is, you need to take ETT, like everything else, in the context of the rest of the bike. Once you find an ETT that works for you, you can use that number, with some caveats, to find a frame that will fit you.mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-83323251192241014232018-08-28T05:56:00.001-07:002018-08-28T05:56:46.129-07:00Mtb geometry part one: standover (meh)There's a lot of hokey old advice about standover on a bicycle. Standover is the distance between your crotch and the top of the bike. Standover is nice to have, but some people have unrealistic expectations based on decades-old advice about bike fitting. Standover is NOT how you fit a bike, but it's an important safety feature and a good place to start.<br />
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If you walk into a bike shop and the salesperson has you straddle the bike, asks about "clearance" and tells you that's the right size, leave the store immediately because that shop does not know what they are doing.<br />
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Regarding mountain bikes, look at an old bike from the mid-'90s or before. Rigid forks, 26" tires, horizontal top tubes, steep angles with short top tube lengths and long stems. This is what made it possible to build a mountain bike with tons of standover for the rider. When suspension forks became popular and then ubiquitous, this raised the front end of the bike, making it harder to get the frame lower. Then came longer-travel suspension forks and then 29" tires, and most bikes have a noticeable upward slant to the top tube. Gradually, getting a bike with those previously generous amounts of standover became more and more difficult.<br />
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In short, modern bikes generally don't have a lot of standover. Get used to that and move on.<br />
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To understand the numbers on a bike manufacturer's website, you need to know your true inseam. You can call this "cycling inseam" or "anatomical inseam" but this in NOT the same thing as your pants size. Your true inseam is likely an inch or two longer than your pants size.<br />
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To measure, find something flat with a square edge like a large book or a T-square stand shoeless with your back flat against the wall. Pull your measuring device up between your legs firmly. Don't hurt yourself, but get <i>all </i>up in there. You're looking for the bottom limit of your crotchal region, how far it is from the ground. Mark the wall at the top of your measuring device -- that's your "cycling inseam." Subtract an inch or so from that, and that's the minimum amount of standover you need.<br />
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When you start checking out bikes in person, throw a leg over the bike and stand in the middle of the frame. If the bike was designed with some level of intelligence, you should be able to stand with the nose of the saddle right behind your spine without the top of the frame touching you. On most modern bikes, you'll have barely and inch. That's OK, because moments when you're going to stand flat-footed directly straddling the top tube are exceedingly rare. you can stand on one foot, support yourself on one pedal, lean the bike over, etc when you dismount.<br />
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But if you cannot stand anywhere over the bike at all without injuring yourself, you might want to try a few different models. Don't "size down" on a bike with a high standover, because, as I'll discuss later, the way the bike fits while you're riding it is far more important than how it fits when you're not even standing on the pedals.<br />
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If you have relatively short legs and a longer torso, you might have problems finding a frame that fits you well when riding and get a reasonable amount of standover. For people with long legs and a shorter torso, you're probably better off with a bike that fits your reach well and use a lot of exposed seatpost to make the bike fit you. More on that later.mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-14730853758799827012018-08-27T19:44:00.001-07:002018-08-28T05:33:45.204-07:00mountain bike geometry, part minus-oneI have been <strike>interested in</strike> obsessing over mountain bike fit and geometry all the years I have been mountain biking, and I think I have learned some things worth sharing. These things apply to my experience with riding hardtails, mostly singlespeed bikes, but they may be of value to everyone who wants to ride trails with confidence and grace.<br />
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I must say first that everyone is different, so what works for me might not work for you. None of this is dogma. Bike designers generally know much better what they are doing, and given the variety of riding styles, skill levels, and types of terrain that are included in "mountain biking," what one designer thinks is the perfect "trail" bike might be horrible for you. Take all marketing and other expert advice with a grain of salt.<br />
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In general, a bike that fits you and suits your riding style should:<br />
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<ol>
<li>fit your body proportions so you can ride it comfortably without feeling stretched out or cramped,</li>
<li>allow a full range of motion on the bike so that you can control it, and</li>
<li>give you confidence to handle the terrain.</li>
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A bike that does these might be a super-light rigid race bike or a full-suspension battleship. It depends on your anatomical dimensions, where and how you ride, and your skill level. If you know a little about those things, you can make an informed decision about a bike or frame without buying a bunch of different bikes over the years, which is what I have done.<br />
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Before you explore specific bike setups, ask yourself the following questions about yourself: Am I fit? Can I bend at the waist, squat, hold a plank for more than a minute? Riding a mountain bike is a great way to get fit, but riding a bike that is set up for someone who is in better shape than yourself will lead to injuries. A bike that is set up for someone less fit and flexible than yourself is going to hold you back. A bike that meets your skill and fitness level halfway will do you good.<br />
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Don't set up a bike so that it empowers your faults and makes them worse. I'll get into specifics on that, but I find that some people allow their bike setup to slide into further levels of laziness as the years wear on, putting them at a disadvantage for shredding.<br />
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If you are honest with yourself about what you can do, you can start looking as specific aspects of bike design to know what will work for you.mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-67746491920371282932018-02-05T19:41:00.002-08:002018-02-10T17:01:05.846-08:00Hill country Hundy 100k gravel ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k9Ak4nqBxL8/WnkWh_8YUgI/AAAAAAAALL0/TwHwQoojJVk6mhmLC_XV3Hf7-N8Vlm8BQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k9Ak4nqBxL8/WnkWh_8YUgI/AAAAAAAALL0/TwHwQoojJVk6mhmLC_XV3Hf7-N8Vlm8BQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have enjoyed several gravel grinder races in the past few years. I have never entered a race on paved roads, mountain bike trails, a BMX track, cyclocross mayhem, etc. Something about an easy, breezy bimble along miles of crunchy gravel roads with dozens of other freds sounded like fun. Low-pressure competition, endless horizons of countryside to take in, and the challenge of spinning your bike up and down mile after mile of serene country dirt roads sounds like bliss.</div>
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Like eating a really spicy curry that ignites your throat and sinuses and makes you question your life choices until you get to the sublime flavor behind the heat, riding gravel roads is bliss after you break through the gauntlet of frozen fingers, numb toes, a sore bum, windburned face, sand pits, cattle guards, corrugated road surfaces, aid stations that always seem one kilometer away, missed turns, cow poops, dust storms, and convent-like solitude that hours spent on a country road. You start to wonder, "where are the 200 other riders who were with me when we left? Did that cow just mock me? Why did I start with 35 psi in my tires when I clearly should have 33?"</div>
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I rode my new Traitor Crusade singlespeed cyclocross bike for the <a href="http://www.spinistry.net/gravel-king">Spinistry Hill Country Hundy</a> yesterday. I am sore, as I expected, but the bike served me well.</div>
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My official time was 5.5 hours, but my GPS counted about 5 hours because it doesn't count time stopped to pee, take photos, chat with the other riders at the aid stations, and so on.</div>
<h3>
The bike</h3>
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The Crusade came with a 36 tooth front chainring and a 16t cog in the back. I rode it like that once and decided that gear was too steep for my climbing skills, so I swapped in a 17 tooth rear cog, and then an 18 tooth. 36x18 puts my gear inches the high 50s. It's quite a bit higher than what I have on my mountain bike, but low enough that I can grind my way up some hills at a reasonable cadence. The route took me up over 2,000 feet of climbing and none of the hills made me feel like to was going to rip my knees apart.</div>
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I am re-thinking this strategy - choosing a lower gear that climbs well but it not as fast on the flat sections. Perhaps it would be better to use a taller gear so I can make better time on the flats and suffer through a few climbs. I'll experiment with that and report back.<br />
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I feared that the stock 32mm Kenda Kommando tires would be too narrow for comfort on the long miles of gravel, but they did OK. The Hundy featured several miles of proper road pavement and a few miles of rough paved country roads. All of the gravel was level, hard-packed, and of a fine grain. I only wanted for traction a few times and was glad to have relatively lightweight tires for the climbs.</div>
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32mm tires were sufficient for control on this particular selection of gravel but I plan to put some bigger tires on this bike just so I can use the comfort provided by the extra volume. It looks 38mm is the limit for the rear and I can put just about whatever I want on the front. I think something in the 40-42mm range should be fine. </div>
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Otherwise, the Cowbell handlebars were comfy, the WTB Devo wrecked minimal havoc on my butt, and the Cateye handlebar bell provided moments of whimsy when I needed it most. I carried a <a href="https://backbottle.com/">Back Bottle</a> (full of Gatorade) in my jersey pocket, a bottle in the downtube cage, and a bottle in the Jannd frame bag. Snacks and my phone stayed in the toptube bag until needed. I really need to find a way to put a seat tube bottle cage on this bike, but, being a CX bike, Traitor didn't bother with seat tube braze-ons. The downtube fender was robbed from a Trek kid's bike and mostly serves to keep road grime off my water bottle spout, cuz no one wants to drink water with a little cow poop in it, even if it's just a lil bit of cow poop.</div>
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I carried some home-made goo (brown rice syrup, coconut oil, molasses, coffee), some Clif bars (those suck to eat while riding, no room to breathe in your mouth), and some weird electrolyte pills that I have had forever. I ate a big breakfast of a coconut-chia pudding/ banana/ oatmeal/ protein powder smoothie and scrambled some tofu with seaweed. When the ride started, my belly was still quite full and that slowed me down. I don't know how to go about eating any earlier and I am open to suggestions!</div>
<h3>
The ride</h3>
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There were fewer riders in attendance than I expected after seeing the crowds that gather for Chainring Massacre and Castell Grind, but it was at least 100 riders. We started at 9 a.m. with what was supposed to be a slow, neutral start. The escort car took off and I found myself quickly falling losing positions. The mangy peloton went through downtown Llano and turned onto a country road. We were five miles and some change before we hit real gravel.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">endless miles of cenTex dirt</td></tr>
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This is Texas Hill Country. The moniker is appropriate. Hills because of the elevation. I climbed over 2000 feet, but the 100-mile route was over 3000 feet of climbing. As much as I enjoy a challenge, I am glad I turned off at the split where the 100-milers left everyone else.<br />
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There were also cows on the road, along with the cattle guards and cow-landmines. Cow poops are easy to avoid if you're not sleeping or texting while riding, but cattle guards must be traversed on the bike. Get some speed, stand up, and let the bike bounce and float under you as you cross one. The rails of the guard make a cool "bzzzzzip" noise as your float over them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess who left that there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zS8BPG6xYQ8/WnkZI7K1KrI/AAAAAAAALMQ/p4yYuhWyUmcbSF9cj9Nq8ClMz2OB5FJcQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zS8BPG6xYQ8/WnkZI7K1KrI/AAAAAAAALMQ/p4yYuhWyUmcbSF9cj9Nq8ClMz2OB5FJcQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dozens of these things on the route</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The best part about these country gravel events is the views. You can enjoy them one of two ways: pace with another rider and chat or set off on your own like a monk and just soak it in. The droning crunch of gravel under your tires, the passing clouds above and sandy-dry riverbeds under your path make you forget about everything else for a few precious hours.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7oxdBHvUPA/WnkgXTgkM6I/AAAAAAAALMs/C2ijfs7MeFMDFv84EGYTDAScQ72QrWtHgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7oxdBHvUPA/WnkgXTgkM6I/AAAAAAAALMs/C2ijfs7MeFMDFv84EGYTDAScQ72QrWtHgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This crossing was high and dry as they get. Others were wetter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you float over the crest of a hill, you can live momentarily in an infinite row of undulating hills that stretch into infinity to roll forever.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rG3cFUgzhXU/WnkaqWKPmFI/AAAAAAAALMc/0zzGpL_uvrI0Wk-2MSJyZVueVtOwujQsgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rG3cFUgzhXU/WnkaqWKPmFI/AAAAAAAALMc/0zzGpL_uvrI0Wk-2MSJyZVueVtOwujQsgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding this event was worth it for this slow coaster of hills.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I met the <a href="https://www.chumbausa.com/">Chumba</a> guys around 1/3 of the way into the route and they had bananas and pouches of liquid calories (aka Capri Sun). I stopped for a moment and talked with Vince about obscure bike-adventure magazines. When I have the money, I'll buy one of their bikes because they make cool stuff nearby and support fun events.<br />
<br />
The rest was a weird trip. Cows, sand-river crossings, rolling hills, and I kept passing and getting passed by the same 5-6 people. The temperature was well "sweltering" but not quite "warm" either. There was ample cloud cover but some stiff headwinds. The result was that you sweat enough to dehydrate quickly, but not enough that you notice it until it's too late. The dry air and wind would wick the sweat off and let it do what sweat is supposed to do: cool you down.<br />
<br />
The result is that you dehydrate without knowing it. I started to <i>drag </i>around mile 48. I knew I was getting to the home stretch, but I was starting to feel like I could barely move my legs. There was a water/snacks station around mile 48 and I noticed that I still had an almost full water bottle. That's a sign that I was rationing my water too closely. I started drinking water more heartily and, within a few minutes, I got a second wind and felt like flying.<br />
<br />
I rounded out the last few miles of pavement in a blur with my newfound strength, provided by the magic of H<span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span>O. I nearly missed a turn at the convention center where the race started and triumphantly pumped my fists in the air as I crossed the official finish, for an audience of 4 or 5 people who were milling about. I had a chat with Kevin from Spinistry and he let me stand on the "fast" box of the podium. I felt "fast" but not faster and certainly not "fastest."<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yed1MdGhdLk/Wnki6HXtMFI/AAAAAAAALM4/XURxFh1e5ekOVadDcwrQamLrE-OhKk2zACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yed1MdGhdLk/Wnki6HXtMFI/AAAAAAAALM4/XURxFh1e5ekOVadDcwrQamLrE-OhKk2zACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0072.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">recovery sammie- PB, jelly, smooshed banana. X2.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-9273209348342565062018-01-31T20:26:00.000-08:002018-12-04T06:04:10.566-08:00new singlespeed CX bikeI have never raced cyclocross, nor do I have any drive to do so. It sure looks like fun, but I am not a competitive person, and I can't imagine devoting enough time to a race schedule, so I don't bother. I do, however, love the feeling of exploring on long rides that involve a mix of pavement and dirt, and there's something that <i>feels</i> fast about riding skinny tires and drop handlebars, although I can't be certain that I am actually faster.<br />
<br />
I've owned a few drop-bar bikes over the year and enjoyed all of them to some degree. I try to have two bikes at all times: one with skinny tires and drop bars for riding roads and unpaved roads, and one with flat bars and big ol' fat tires for technical trails. I sold my last drop-bar bike, a Soma Double Cross Disc, over a year ago and really started to miss the snappy feel of a cyclocross bike under me under me ever since.<br />
<br />
I was dedicated to building a "monstercross" Frankenbike out of a mid-'90s Specialized Cross Roads hybrid, but gave up on it when I realized that the expense of the thing would result in a sub-par compromise of a bike. I checked used bikes all over the region and considered a few other Frankenbike options until someone pointed me in the direction of the <a href="http://www.traitorcycles.com/2015/Bikes_Crusade.cfm">Traitor Crusade</a> bike, which I found for a good deal.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Aj0fGqWq8I/WnKKoA3ta9I/AAAAAAAAK_o/Pw-0Qa4YxrA4AStG5pWYuVnwfjJlAlm5gCKgBGAs/s1600/20180111_194757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Aj0fGqWq8I/WnKKoA3ta9I/AAAAAAAAK_o/Pw-0Qa4YxrA4AStG5pWYuVnwfjJlAlm5gCKgBGAs/s320/20180111_194757.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yup, I bought it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Since this bike is no longer in production and might be hard to find (I am under the strong impression that this is built on the same frame as the <a href="https://www.transitionbikes.com/Store_Detail.cfm?C=Bikes&SC=Rapture&P=11907">Transitition Rapture</a>), I don't see the point in writing a "review." Instead, I will just write about and photograph my experiences riding this bike.<br />
<br />
After unboxing and getting the bike into a rideable state, I noticed a few things:<br />
1. the handlebar was HORRIBLE. Too much reach, too much drop, giant, round bend. The drop position was usable due to the lack of space on the ends. I researched handlebars and was about to buy a <a href="https://ritcheylogic.com/comp-venturemax">Ritchey Venturemax</a> bar, but a friend came through with a <a href="https://salsacycles.com/index.php?/components/category/road_handlebars/cowbell_3">Salsa Cowbell bar</a>, which I have used in the past with great satisfaction.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rrv1kmUVuYQ/WnKSH47ZikI/AAAAAAAALAA/o_IigPuVkVUldGHCvFlX7GQYD5T9kQsNACKgBGAs/s1600/20180112_075100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rrv1kmUVuYQ/WnKSH47ZikI/AAAAAAAALAA/o_IigPuVkVUldGHCvFlX7GQYD5T9kQsNACKgBGAs/s320/20180112_075100.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">worst drop bar ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
2. Rear tire clearance, meh. This is marketed as a cyclocross bike, so 35mm tires seems reasonable, but they could have squeezed an extra few millimeters between the chainstays for a little more rubber. I can force a 40mm tire in there, but the clearance is too tight for comfort. I'd love to run 42mm tires for gravel racing, but sub-38 is going to have to suffice.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xt2jDWVZAAM/WnKSPdlVQkI/AAAAAAAALAE/-prt_uCoDxAvpDzP8hryXg5d1C3jlkMDgCKgBGAs/s1600/20180112_075131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xt2jDWVZAAM/WnKSPdlVQkI/AAAAAAAALAE/-prt_uCoDxAvpDzP8hryXg5d1C3jlkMDgCKgBGAs/s320/20180112_075131.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">segmented fork with ample room for a lot of tread.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NU9xtKhAPw0/WnKUR54FwJI/AAAAAAAALAI/6de2l6WtgD0AOKLfvz1GPiP1ro1uHIlWACKgBGAs/s1600/20180114_184456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NU9xtKhAPw0/WnKUR54FwJI/AAAAAAAALAI/6de2l6WtgD0AOKLfvz1GPiP1ro1uHIlWACKgBGAs/s320/20180114_184456.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just for grins, I stuck a 29x2.1" tire (Schwalbe Thunder Burt) on this front wheel to see what would fit. It does, but I have no intension of using a tire this big on this particular bike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GucM1i7VVl4/WnKSPYwbeVI/AAAAAAAALAE/-ZxZimUZSrkcIwxDiZtSn5dT60yB_TWfgCKgBGAs/s1600/20180112_074920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GucM1i7VVl4/WnKSPYwbeVI/AAAAAAAALAE/-ZxZimUZSrkcIwxDiZtSn5dT60yB_TWfgCKgBGAs/s320/20180112_074920.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lack of rad rear tire clearance. I might be able to shoehorn a 40mm tire in there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
3. One pair of water bottle cages, no rack/ fender mounts. Again, a true cyclocross bike doesn't need these things, but I'll probably have need of them at some point.<br />
<br />
Things I like:<br />
1. nice chromoly steel frame with a rad segmented fork. Green!<br />
2. rocker-style dropouts for singlespeed drivetrain with the option to put a 2x - whatever drivetrain. The downtube has some bolt-on cable stops similar to the bolt-on Gyro tabs I am used to seeing on BMX bikes.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zUlwOWB_wQ/WnKSBrtaq7I/AAAAAAAAK_8/IBsEv0OxU4cz9g3cf5WvnzLHuUFp5euFACKgBGAs/s1600/20180112_074934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zUlwOWB_wQ/WnKSBrtaq7I/AAAAAAAAK_8/IBsEv0OxU4cz9g3cf5WvnzLHuUFp5euFACKgBGAs/s320/20180112_074934.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lil bracket for derailleur cable stops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIDj2NvP7eI/WnKSBlEJnxI/AAAAAAAAK_8/S5BRxFKCmK0ZZyET7tGDLGnv17YIfGtQwCKgBGAs/s320/20180112_075016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocker dropouts, nice touch!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIDj2NvP7eI/WnKSBlEJnxI/AAAAAAAAK_8/S5BRxFKCmK0ZZyET7tGDLGnv17YIfGtQwCKgBGAs/s1600/20180112_075016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIDj2NvP7eI/WnKSBlEJnxI/AAAAAAAAK_8/S5BRxFKCmK0ZZyET7tGDLGnv17YIfGtQwCKgBGAs/s1600/20180112_075016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
3. TRP Hylex brakes. Hydro drop-bar brakes without shifting nonsense? Yes please!<br />
4. Wheels are alright. Cheap by reliable Weinmann DA19 rims, double-butted spokes, Joytech sealed-bearing hubs. These will do, but will be a giant pain to set up tubeless. I probably won't bother.<br />
<br />
Pretty cool so far. Expect a write-up soon about riding this thing!<br />
<br />
<br />mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-32091488754308085652017-10-23T19:49:00.000-07:002017-10-23T19:49:00.192-07:00Beware the Jabberwock, my son!As I mentioned recently, I ended up replacing my last frame with a <a href="http://www.vassagocycles.com/jabberwocky/" target="_blank">Vassago Jabberwocky</a>. I love this frame! Long top tube, reasonably short chainstays, burly steel construction, moderate geometry that is not "yeah brah, enduro!" slack but not dirt roadie XC. modern features like a fat seat tube, 44mm head tube to accommodate a tapered fork, and room for really fat tires.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6vA9GUr23Hw/We6nk3bu4QI/AAAAAAAAJ0U/ZKNNwhKC2MMYyprIQZcocPHD3sGpjl8IACKgBGAs/s1600/20171015_150423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6vA9GUr23Hw/We6nk3bu4QI/AAAAAAAAJ0U/ZKNNwhKC2MMYyprIQZcocPHD3sGpjl8IACKgBGAs/s400/20171015_150423.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
This is kind of ironic because a bought an older version of the "small" size Jabber in spring of 2013 and sold it after a few short months. For some reason, I crashed on that bike more than I have ever crashed. I suspect it was my error in setting up the suspension fork, but I am happy with the way it played out. I now have a stout, steel, singlespeed XC bike with geometry that suits me, now that I have spent months agonizing over why my back hurts and every "medium" bike I have tried feels cramped.<br />
<br />
I am definitely digging this bike. It feels much better under me than anything I have ridden. It could be lighter, that's my only real complaint. If I really wanted a lighter frame, I would probably have had to shell out 3 times as much cash on a titanium frame or get customer steel for even more than that. I can't justify that kind of spending, but I can dream.<br />
<br />
In the meanwhile, the weight disappears under you when you're on a bike that fits and handles as if it was made for you.mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-75956298938308801902017-10-22T20:48:00.000-07:002017-10-22T20:48:15.023-07:00bike fittings are not all the same<div>
I purchased a <a href="http://www.vassagocycles.com/jabberwocky/" target="_blank">Vassago Jabberwocky</a> from the rad folks at <a href="https://cycleprogression.com/" target="_blank">Cycle Progression</a>. Ask me how I arrived at this decision!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I might have ruined this past season of riding for myself if I had not been so stubborn. I spent a considerable amount of money on a chiropractor, a bike fit, and a new frame. In the meanwhile, I worked out and rode through the pain when I could. I am much happier now.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
No doubt, my body was out of whack this spring and the chiro helped with that a ton. No matter how perfectly a bike "fits" you, if <i>your body </i>is not fit enough for the kind of demands that cycling, or any physical activity, puts on it, you're going to be miserable. Once I had my back in recovery mode and learned to strengthen more core muscles to support my body while riding, I decided to visit an expert for advice on tweaking my bike.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Every bike fit starts with the right frame dimensions, and mountain bikes only come in a few distinct sizes (not enough increments, if you ask me) for each model, so experience -- yours or that of a knowledgeable advisor -- will be the best guide as to what works for you. In my case, I am learning the hard way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I visited two fitters over the past few months. One was somewhat useful and the other was worth much, much more than I paid him.</div>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
Bike fitting #1</h3>
<div>
The first fitter charged me $100 and gave me advice that was $25% useful and 75% a sales pitch to sell me some special insoles and more fitting services. He asked me some relevant questions, took a few basic measurements, and watched me ride my bike in a trainer for a while. He made a few valid observations:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>My handlebar was too close to my hips and too high. This position was painfully scrunching my back, as I was well aware. The compact handling made me very "on top of" the bike instead of "in" the bike. Also, the taller my handlebar was, the more effort was required for me to stand up, and standing enlivens the handling on a mountain bike ten-fold.</li>
<li>My saddle was a tad low, which made for poor pedaling efficiency and contributed to the aforementioned resistance to standing up.</li>
<li>The fitter thought the cleats under my shoes were in a sub-optimal position and he moved them. This was rubbish advice. More on that later.</li>
</ul>
<div>
When I was done with the fitting session, my saddle moved up about 2.5 centimeters and my handlebar went out 2 and down 4 centimeters by way of replacing my stem with a longer, much lower one. In case you're not familiar with bike fit fiddling, that an astronomical amount of change!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A few weird parts of this fit:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The fitter moved my cleats waaaaay forward, like under my toes. I thought he might be onto something, but he seemed to be moving the cleats that wasy to get my knees plumb over the center of my pedals, using the old KOPS method. As I have said before, KOPS works for some kinds of bikes for some riders. For modern mountain bikes, it's generally nonsense. That put up several big red flag for me: </div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>If you're going to fit a bike by KOPS, you do it by moving the saddle fore/aft, not by moving the cleats around. He didn't change the saddle position at all.</li>
<li>My frame had an eccentric bottom bracket, meaning he could have rotated the BB forward and gotten the same knee/ankle position without putting my cleats under my toes</li>
<li>Most riders in every cycling discipline are trying to find ways to push cleats and shoe positions <i>back,</i> closer to center on the pedal for a more balanced foot position. He did the opposite, putting a lot of strain on my calves. He also rotated my cleat to accommodate for the "duck-footed" right leg that tends to twist toe-out, which is also medical nonsense.</li>
</ol>
<div>
Most bike fitters are not medical professionals and even the ones with medical bona fides have to admit that there's a little voodoo involved in the process. But I rode the bike with the new fit once on my local trails and found that, while the saddle height and handlebar position made the bike fit much more naturally under me, the handling was awkward. Worse yet, I had to stop and move my cleats back to their old position after my numb toes and cramping calves forced me to stop.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I asked the bike fitter at the shop about this and he told me that I would have to buy some $30 insoles from him to be sure that my foot is level. If that didn't solve the problem, I should come back for a $250 fit session on top of the $100 I already paid.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Instead, I put my cleats back into a rational position and kept riding.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On a more general note, I question his wisdom in "slamming" a negative-stem and putting such a long stem on an AM hardtail with a 30-inch wide handlebar. I know he was trying to work with what I have, but I explicitly told him that I wanted to know if I should buy a few frame that fits me better but make what I have work in the meantime. What he did with the reach was probably the best thing for me on that frame, but he insisted that there was no reason to even consider a different frame.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There's some controversy among the mountain bike community about this, but generally, a stem determines how the bike handles with the fork and handlebar, not how it <i>fits.</i> That can work differently for different riders, but putting a long stem on a bike that was designed with s short one in mind is kind of like buying shoes that are a size too small and cutting a hole in the front so your toes can stick out and calling it good.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Bike fitting #2</h3>
<div>
I visited Frank at <a href="http://www.atxbikes.com/" target="_blank">ATX Bikes</a> after he had read about my consternation at my first fit and invited me to come in for a free consultation. Frank has an amazing fit studio with an automated fit bike. Basically, you put your own handlebar, saddle, and pedals on a werid-looking stationary bike, and the fitter plugs some numbers into a computer and viola! the bike moves around to simulate the frame dimensions, saddle position, and handlebar position that he types in.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next, he put velcro dots on my joints and stuck a wired sensor to it. A camera captured my movements in three dimensions and created an animation on the screen. I felt like Andy Serkis acting out a really boring role where he pedals a bike for the whole movie. The program analyzes the data and saves it for future use.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I had Frank plug in the dimensions of a medium Vassago Jabberwocky, since I had my eye on the frame as a replacement for the ROS 9. We were able to determine that the Jabber would be a good fit for me from a sit-and-pedal position at least, and that was enough to know that it would be a good choice. I now have a printout of the bike geometry that made me feel comfortable and fast. The next step was to acquire that new frame and start riding conscientiously to see what works.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Vassago was very far ahead of the trend, designing frames almost a decade ago with long top tubes and slack headtube angles. The "wet cat" theory was a revelation to many and I hope it will be for me. More will follow on my experience riding the Jabberwocky.</div>
mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-29576712694314192732017-07-06T06:25:00.004-07:002017-07-06T06:26:59.786-07:00exploring mountain bike fitMountain bike geometry is tricky. Inspired by my love of riding bikes and my body's apparent distain for it, I have been nerding out on how different muscle groups propel the body and how different aspects of bike fit accommodate those motions. I am starting to see how trends in how I set up different bikes for myself. I am finding that some of the conventional wisdom about bike fit is well-intentioned but detrimental to long-term goals.<br />
<br />
Words of warning: I am writing this as much more my benefit insofar as "thinking out loud" helps me to process information. Several weeks of riding through back pain and frustration with budgetary concerns have resulted in my birthing this ridiculous collection of words. You're probably not going to read the whole thing, but if you share my obsession with getting the most out of a bike riding experience and my sense of frugality, you'll appreciate it.<br />
<br />
I used <a href="http://www.bikegeo.net/">www.BikeGeo.net</a> to overlay the geometry of some bikes I have owned. This is a great tool for visualizing differences in bike geometry to help you imagine how one bike will be different from another. I am using my previous frame, a <a href="http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/juice" target="_blank">Soma Juice</a> for comparison because, while it left some things to be desired in the handling department, my back didn't ache after riding it for several hours. To clarify, I doubt that the new frame caused my back pain, the new setup merely exposed an imbalance in my body that manifested as a back ache.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I can observe objectively that my new <a href="http://www.ninerbikes.com/ros9" target="_blank">Niner ROS 9</a>'s seat tube is steeper, the chainstays are shorter, the front wheel is further in front of the bike, and despite the fact that the effective top tube (ETT) is shorter on the ROS 9, the overall reach (more on this later) is longer. Throw Niner's eccentric bottom bracket with 8.5mm of adjustment into the mix and you have a very confusing set of variables.<br />
<br />
This frame is subtly but profoundly different from my old frame, or so it seems. For example, my previous frame has a slacker 72° seat tube angle and a 16mm offset seatpost, but my new frame has a 74° seat tube angle and came with an inline seatpost. This means that the resulting position of my saddle (<a href="http://roadbikeaction.com/features/rba-features/how-to-measure-your-bike" target="_blank">saddle setback</a>) is quite a bit forward of my previous saddle position, relative to the center of the cranks. A little basic trig will illustrate that on paper, but I was able to measure it as well.<br />
<div>
<br />
In order to set up the bike so I don't look like tricycling circus bear on it, I had to put an offset seatpost on a bike that was designed with a super-short chainstay, which puts my center of gravity pretty far over the rear wheel -- a good thing or a bad thing depending on how and where you ride.<br />
<br />
Conventional wisdom tells me to put my saddle back to the same position where I had it before, which I measured with the nose of the saddle at 75mm behind the BB on my old Juice. That's quite a lot of setback, and I don't have particularly long legs or disproportionately long femurs, to the best of my knowledge.<br />
<br />
To achieve this position, I would need to get a seatpost with what I think is an unreasonable amount of offset and has very few options. in addition, I the resulting position would put my center of gravity waaaaay over the back wheel, resulting in terrific rear tire traction but no control over the amount of traction I get on the front, especially when climbing.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Then I put a 70mm stem on an "all mountain" frame that was designed with a 35-50mm stem in order to get the reach closer to being not "scrunched in there," as one person who saw me on the bike put it. Definitely odd. I tried putting a 90mm stem on it and it made the bike steer with the nimbility of a school bus. Do not want.<br />
<br />
More importantly, it may be further exaggerating issues I have had with putting too much stacked weight on my lower back. If I keep going down that road, I will have relegated myself to riding a beach cruiser slowly down a paved path, which would be fine if I were closer to a century old.<br />
<br />
Conventional wisdom also tells me to put my handlebar at the same height and distance from my saddle where I had it on my previous bike, assuming that the previous position was a good one. I have nearly achieved that and I am not particularly chuffed with the results. But was it a "good position" in the first place?<br />
<br />
I had to take a step back and challenge the premise -- what is the optimal saddle offset for me? What's the best amount of reach and rise for my hands? Was the old setup optimal, or was it accommodating my body's imbalances and thus encouraging them to get worse?<br />
<br />
If I could directly translate the old frame's dimensions to the new frame, should I? Time to re-think the whole thing. <i>New bike, new fit!</i><br />
<br />
<h3>
Confronting Superstitions</h3>
A lot of bike fit advice relies on lore that is repeated enough to create memetic inertia. There are weird "rules" like the 40-60 weight distribution guideline, the "elbow on the saddle, middle finger to the middle of the stem" idea, goniometer measurements on hip, knee, and arm angles, and the eyeball-the-front-hub-through-the-handlebar theory, and KOPS or knee-over-pedal-spindle method of determining <a href="http://roadbikeaction.com/features/rba-features/how-to-measure-your-bike" target="_blank">saddle fore-aft position</a>, which <a href="https://www.sheldonbrown.com/kops.html" target="_blank">Keith Bontrager</a> calls KOPS a "myth."<br />
<br />
Additionally, I feel that most of the bike fit advice accumulated over the years have been more appropriate for road bikes and old school mountain bikes (many of which were essentially road bike with fat tires). All of these ideas have good intentions, but vague results from one rider to another and among bicycle geometries as they evolve for riding conditions.<br />
<h3>
Why so complicated?</h3>
<div>
As I was typing all this up, I started thinking: why is setting up a bicycle so complex? All I want to do it take a bike that is designed to fit a rider my size and set it up so I can ride comfortably and with confidence for a few hours at a time, so why am I considering advice on the internet that involves employing lasers, video motion capture software, a stationary trainer, and enormous protractors like you see in those fancy bike fit studios? What made this "necessary," and what do I hope to gain by moving my bike parts around by mere millimeters in one direction or another?<br />
<br /></div>
Unless a rider happens to be <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitruvian_Man" target="_blank">Vitruvian Man</a>, any amount of calculations and measurements is only going to get within a ballpark of a good fit. After the pain and frustration of my last few rides, though, I am gun-shy about riding my bike at all. Until I get my body and my bike fit sorted, is riding worth the physical pain and frustration that result? This analysis paralysis might be worse than any amount of injury I could receive from riding an ill-fitting bike.<br />
<br />
This is where I quit crunching numbers and moved on to practical matters. I could stare at these numbers all day but nothing is going to substitute for placing my butt in the saddle and considering how the bike fits and handles. Unfortunately, none of the frames I am interested in riding come in a complete bike format to test ride, test rides in parking lots are no substitute for riding on the trail, and manufacturer demo days are few and far between.<br />
<br />
I can conclude that the best way for me to fit a bike is to ride the bike <i>mindfully</i>, listen to my body, adjust what doesn't work to something that does work, and ride some more. That requires some knowledge of how my body propels a bike and what adjustments will change how that happens, which is the kind of knowledge I am seeking.<br />
<br />
One thing that I have discovered is a better way to look at how a bike fits from a geometric standpoint. I start by dividing my fit into two dimensions based on the idea that all motions on the bicycle start at the feet: pedaling and wrangling.<br />
<br />
By <i>pedaling</i>, I mean propulsion generated by the position of the bottom half of your body relative to the pedals. This means saddle height, saddle-bottom bracket offset, saddle angle and so forth. You can tell, within a reasonable margin of error, if a bike will fit you from a pedaling standpoint based on the seat tube length, seat tube angle, and effective top tube or ETT. Getting a solid pedaling position on the bike is essential for just getting around and should not be ignored, even on a mountain bike that is ridden in a variety of positions. This should be pretty straightforward, but of course, it's not.<br />
<br />
By <i>wrangling</i>, I mean where and how your weight is distributed when you ride the bike actively based on your position of your hands relative to the pedals. This circumvents the saddle position because riding a bicycle is a dynamic activity, especially on a mountain bike.<br />
<br />
When wrangling a mountain bike over the terrain, the rider is constantly changing the center of gravity to maintain balance and traction while vaulting up ledges, whipping around corners, or bounding down descents. The rider engaged in wrangling the bike is rarely seated, and increasing numbers of riders are using telescopic seatposts (including myself, hopefully, in the near future).<br />
<br />
<b>Solid numbers</b><br />
<br />
Yet I still feel the urge to quantify everything, so I am working on learning what matters when it comes to fitting a bike, and what is coincidental. My goal is to record the relevant measurements and make subtle changes so I can look back and remember where I have been on this journey. For the slightly-longer term, I would like to be able to find what I am looking for and make an informed purchase on my next frame, be it a more svelt off-the-peg frame or getting something built just for me.<br />
<br />
In bicycle geometry, I find that quantified as stack and reach are more relevant in understanding how the bike will be wrangled<i>, </i>whereas effective top tube better defines the seated pedaling position that you can achieve by moving the saddle position around.<br />
<br />
Stack and reach have been defined as the plumb-vertical distance from the bottom bracket to the intersection of a horizontal line that crosses the top of the head tube (stack), and horizontal distance from the center-top of the head tube to that vertical line that goes through the bottom bracket (reach). The intersection point is usually an imaginary one in the air perpendicular to the top of the frame and the center of the bottom bracket This has been explained in great detail by various manufacturers and has recently gained prominence as a standard measurement included with most manufacturers' literature.<br />
<br />
Of course, as a bicycle's stack increases, so should it's reach. Tall people are tall because they have long legs, long torsos, and long arms, which is why bicycles get proportionally longer and taller at the same time. For different kinds of bicycles ridden in different ways, one needs to know what relation the stack and reach have to one another across sizes withing a model of bikes.<br />
<br />
In other words, this is a fraction in need of a common denominator to make sense!<br />
<br />
I played around with calculating effective downtube lengths and making the ratio into a reach/stack percentage, but then I read <a href="http://velovoice.blogspot.com/2015/05/bike-sizing-stack-and-reach.html" target="_blank">this blog</a> and found my solution. The author was comparing stack and reach among lines of road bikes as a ratio, with a ratio of 1.5 to be about neutral. anything below 1.5 is "racey" and above 1.5 seems to imply a "relaxed" geometry.<br />
<br />
Oddly, bicycle manufacturers seem to have made no attempt to connect these things in meaningful ways for their customers. Either they know that geometry is more complex than that level of simplicity (very likely) or that the average consumer doesn't have the time, nor the mental capacity to wrap their head around that metric of comparison (equally likely).<br />
<br />
If this theory holds any water, I can compare a few medium-sized frames that I find compelling (Kona Unit, Vassago Jabberwocky, surly Karate Monkey, etc) and find that the frame stack-and-reach ratio hover of most XC hardtail frames around the 1.4 mark. Niner's ROS 9 and SIR 9 medium frames are both 1.56, despite the fact that the former is labeled an "all mountain" bike and the latter a "XC/race" bike.<br />
<br />
Of course, the end result of how a bike fits (pedaling) and handles (wrangling) depends on the way one sets up the saddle and handlebar position, but getting a frame that best a accommodates that position is a good start. If the frame dimensions do not yield the riding position and posture that suits your riding style, that's the wrong frame for you.<br />
<br />
I am at this point: can I balance the fit and the handling of this current frame in a way that suits me and my riding style? If so, great! If not, I am back to shopping for a new frame. Since I am too cheap to just buy new stuff to solve my situation, this will be a long, difficult road.</div>
mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-36199521486431821462017-06-16T12:18:00.001-07:002017-07-06T06:32:55.005-07:00back pain updateA few months ago, I replaced my Soma Juice frame with a Niner ROS 9. Although the fit was about the same, I noticed back pain after an hour or two of riding. I decided I should explore what's going on with my body rather than try to compensate for it by continually tweaking my bike fit.<br />
<br />
I started working with Dr. Bradley Holden at <a href="https://www.wellnessforaustin.com/" target="_blank">Health First Spine and Wellness</a> and ... wow! I could not ride my bike for more than an hour just a month ago and now the only thing sending me home is the brutal Texas heat and the accompanying dehydration and exhaustion.mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-64375820596850570872017-05-31T05:10:00.000-07:002017-05-31T05:10:07.765-07:00Valuable lessons in spine maintenanceI have not ridden my bike in about a month. This is partly due to the fact that I was visiting Republic of Ireland and England for nearly two weeks (my brain is still on London time, which explains why I was up and writing this starting at 4:45 a.m.), but mostly because my first few rides on my new ROS 9 resulted in severe back pain.<br />
<br />
I was able to ride the Castell Grind 100k without issue, but I have had to cut short all my trail rides after about an hour due to an aching lower back. It was unbearable and the pain would last for a few days. In an attempt to address this scientifically, I started listing variables that could cause this:<br />
<ol>
<li>new bike is fitted differently</li>
<li>new bike is heavier than my old one</li>
<li>I am overly stoked on the new bike and riding harder/ differently</li>
<li>my body is mangled and this has finally manifesting itself in back pain</li>
</ol>
I concede that 1 through 3 are possibilities that should be addressed. I might end up paying a professional bike fitter to fine-tune my fit, but that seems like on unnecessary expense in my life right now. The new bike does fit a little differently, and it's slightly heavier, and I have been trying to manual and hop this bike quite a bit.<br />
<br />
I took to internet message boards to help me narrow down what is going on and was told to set my bike up exactly like my old bike, fit it totally different, get a longer stem, a shorter stem, raise my handlebar, lower my handlebar, push my seat forward, push it back, get a softer seatpost, lower my tire pressure, and several other bits of advice that contradicted each other at every turn.<br />
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I have learned a lot about bike fit as a result of this pursuit, and also learned that everyone on the internet is an "expert," but more on that later.<br />
<br />
[I preface everything else I am about to write with this caveat: I possess no medical expertise and an amateur understanding of bike fit and physiology. The following is based on my personal experiences, observations, and bits of knowledge I have gleaned from experts of varying levels of credibility. Take it all with a grain of salt and consult with a medical professional and/ or bike fitter for more information.]<br />
<br />
That leaves my body, something better left to a medical professional. I have a history with back injuries from two car accidents, riding BMX for over 15 years, sitting for a desk job, manual labor, etc., and I have had mixed experiences with chiropractors. Despite what some people say about the practice (one person recently told me that they are all "chiroquacks"), I am convinced that no amount of stretching, exercise, "yoga" activity, bike fit adjustments, or painkillers are going to help if the spine is out of whack and a good chiro is the best person to deal with that.<br />
<br />
On the advice of several local mountain bikers I know, I visited a nearby chiropractor a few weeks ago. He's a cyclist and his practice does everything, starting with x-rays and getting into adjustments, massage, physical therapy and training and he even does bike fittings. I was not terribly surprised to learn what his exam told me, but it's not terrific news.<br />
<br />
My x-rays showed that I have a few issues going on:<br />
<ol>
<li>my neck does not have a natural, healthy <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lordosis" target="_blank">cervical lordosis</a>. Instead, it curves slightly forward (kyphosis) and cantilevers my head in a forward position. It's subtle to the untrained eye, but it's definitely there. Some of the joints in my neck don't move very well and my head tilts slightly to the right, which is apparent in photos.</li>
<li>My lower back has some vertebrae that don't move freely. My lumbar lordosis is not quite what it ought to be.</li>
<li>My pelvis tilts forward and is not laterally level. I have an anterior <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelvic_tilt#Forms" target="_blank">pelvic tilt</a>, which could be the result of several factors and habits I have.</li>
<li>My <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebral_column" target="_blank">sacrum</a> is tilted forward several degrees.</li>
</ol>
<br />
Since I was a child, despite being active and vaguely athletic, I have never been able to bend at the waist and touch my toes. Like many cyclists, have overdeveloped quads (front of thigh muscles that push pedals down) and weak, tight hamstrings, which somewhat explains the pelvic tilt and back pain. (I found an excellent <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/515186-imbalances-in-cycling-leg-strength/" target="_blank">article on Livestrong</a> that describes this exact issue.)<br />
<br />
Cycling likely exacerbated the pelvic problem to the state in which I find myself today. The muscles in front of my legs are strong and pulling down, keeping the weak muscles in back under constant tension, like a teeter totter with a really fat kid on one end. When I cantilever my upper body over the front of a bicycle and hammer on the pedals for hours, relying on my quads to do most of the work, it strains the lower back and, surprise!, it starts to ache miserably.<br /><br />
The chiropractor has me on a schedule of adjustments, training with a physical therapist and some home practices that will correct my spine over time and make it last.<br />
<br />
Treatment is not cheap and it's unnerving to add this bill to my monthly expenses (I really need to find a way to earn more money, getting old is expensive and expensive is getting old), but I am convinced it's a good investment in my future health. I would rather make sacrifices now than have severe back problems in a decade or two that could keep me from working and enjoying life. At 35 years, I am not old, but I need to be intentional about these things.<br />
<br />
In part II, I will explain what I have learned about bike fit and how I am learning to make my bike best accommodate the limits of my body.mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-27827708778730871462017-04-25T21:00:00.002-07:002017-04-25T21:00:55.881-07:00ROS 9 cable routingI wanted to add a little note about one minor frustation -- and a handy solution -- that I had with the new ROS 9.<br />
<br />
The rear brake hose is apparently supposed to be routed under the down tube, under the bottom bracket, along the underside of the chainstay, then in front of the chainstay.<br />
<br />
First of all, I was using a fairly long hose on my previous frame that ran under the top tube and down the seatstay, but routing the hose the way Niner intended made the hose dangerously short. It was feasible, but I knew I would be one handlebar-twisting crash away from ripping my hose out of my brake lever and needed to replace it anyways.<br />
<br />
Secondly, I didn't like having the hose all exposed to rocks and such on the "outside" of the frame structure, preferring to have tacked away safely "inside" the frame.<br />
<br />
The frame includes some hose hardware that bolts on and looks like it's perfect if you around anchoring two parallel hoses/housing along the frame for a brake and a derailleur or two, in addition to a dropper post cable or hose, but since my bike currently only has a rear brake, the hardware is unbalanced and inadequate for this singular duty.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XbkyPJ2bzB0/WNf_GoYa2-I/AAAAAAAAEV0/DjNwbeM5lFQAOTTlzWe9qDJG7vvqnDwXwCPcB/s1600/20170326_090138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XbkyPJ2bzB0/WNf_GoYa2-I/AAAAAAAAEV0/DjNwbeM5lFQAOTTlzWe9qDJG7vvqnDwXwCPcB/s320/20170326_090138.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice 'n awkward</td></tr>
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I made a trip to the local home improvement store and picked up a lifetime supply of these <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-4-in-Plastic-Cable-Clamps-Black-18-Pack-PPC-1525UVB/202878268" target="_blank">plastic cable clamps</a> for under $2, plus some washers so I can bolt them down without smooshing the soft plastic into oblivion. I trimmed the square edges of three clamps into something that more closely resembles a round shape and bolted them to the underside of the top tube.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUJgZLISSPY/WQAZB0qVT4I/AAAAAAAAEtU/n3VThoPuvSUahdwD6m-WDs36TM15MMhbACPcB/s1600/20170326_085856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUJgZLISSPY/WQAZB0qVT4I/AAAAAAAAEtU/n3VThoPuvSUahdwD6m-WDs36TM15MMhbACPcB/s320/20170326_085856.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZURH1_1lKA/WQAZB7wsciI/AAAAAAAAEtU/fGEKiMjJxQsPSTUcCcfzWOtqgNVN-PjIQCPcB/s1600/20170326_085520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZURH1_1lKA/WQAZB7wsciI/AAAAAAAAEtU/fGEKiMjJxQsPSTUcCcfzWOtqgNVN-PjIQCPcB/s320/20170326_085520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8pzKQjQlXp8/WNg4pTnBxfI/AAAAAAAAEWg/jG6lopcYA_UZVAEsrhef4HR3OyB_7PDXgCPcB/s1600/20170326_165149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8pzKQjQlXp8/WNg4pTnBxfI/AAAAAAAAEWg/jG6lopcYA_UZVAEsrhef4HR3OyB_7PDXgCPcB/s320/20170326_165149.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WyLVobv1loA/WQAZB-yTn1I/AAAAAAAAEtU/rFlT0-u9Pg0aqRlDK6Y-44G8ZY6-FUF5QCPcB/s1600/20170326_165213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WyLVobv1loA/WQAZB-yTn1I/AAAAAAAAEtU/rFlT0-u9Pg0aqRlDK6Y-44G8ZY6-FUF5QCPcB/s320/20170326_165213.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clean!</td></tr>
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The frame does not have any sort of cable guides or braze-ons on the seatstays, so I had to fix the hose in place with two zip ties. I cinched them nice and tight to prevent the hose from getting too close the to tire, which could also spell disaster.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9s9jz23wK7M/WNg4pVhltaI/AAAAAAAAEWg/G1wYu4HexGcwkFp4cKA9_7UmxovVEzLKQCPcB/s1600/20170326_165333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9s9jz23wK7M/WNg4pVhltaI/AAAAAAAAEWg/G1wYu4HexGcwkFp4cKA9_7UmxovVEzLKQCPcB/s320/20170326_165333.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GW41Ewn0Rzs/WQAaRpKDKgI/AAAAAAAAEtg/-zOqF6WyA_s_wsCS95-PZjX5o7FhjcVOQCPcB/s1600/20170422_090354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GW41Ewn0Rzs/WQAaRpKDKgI/AAAAAAAAEtg/-zOqF6WyA_s_wsCS95-PZjX5o7FhjcVOQCPcB/s320/20170422_090354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KDaZGL4Wk5s/WNg4pd8YSyI/AAAAAAAAEWg/Z3U3kp8GZskhUJavjNIDYHlDx6hGMtj7gCPcB/s1600/20170326_165347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KDaZGL4Wk5s/WNg4pd8YSyI/AAAAAAAAEWg/Z3U3kp8GZskhUJavjNIDYHlDx6hGMtj7gCPcB/s320/20170326_165347.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tucked in there</td></tr>
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<br />Shimano's design of the banjo bolt on that SLX caliper means I can point that hose any direction on that plane without affecting the brake's performance, which came in handy for this application.<br />
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I hope that helps people looking for alternate ways to route all the bits and bobs on their own bikes, whether you have multiple lockout switches or just a single rear brake.mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-49035863150597221542017-04-09T20:15:00.001-07:002017-06-27T19:51:14.766-07:00New frame time! Niner ROS 9 first reviewI have been itching for a new frame, something with a shorter chainstay for a more playful ride. The list of frames that check all the boxes (29er, steel, short chainstays, 44mm head tube, non-boutique price tag, etc) is a short one, so research should not have taken all the long. Nevertheless, in true 21st-century consumer form, I researched the daylights out of it. Contenders of note included the Canfield Nimble 9, Kona Honzo, Transition TransAM and Surly Karate Monkey. A few others made brief appearances on my list but were eliminated for various reasons (no longer in production, incompatibility with current components, price, etc) After careful consideration, I purchased a used Niner ROS 9 from an online seller on Pinkbike, which happens to be a fabulous place to find a deal on used gear.<br />
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I had some technical difficulties setting it up at first, but I'll get to that later. The ROS 9 (Roots of Steel or Ride Over S*** depending on who you ask), is made by a company that built it brand on the rising popularity of 29-inch tires and is a close cousin to the brand's every-popular SIR 9 (Steel Is Real) but with a more... [writer shutters at marketing jargon] "aggressive" design. Basically, it's more of a partying bike than a go-fast bike. It's relatively heavy because they built it out of big ol' tubes of steel, the rear end is shorter than the average XC frame (because wheelies), and the head tube angle is slacker so that the front wheel is more likely to go in a straight line when the trail gets rowdy and points downward. Based on reviews and riders' testimonies, I decided it would likely be an improvement over the Juice, which is an excellent frame in its own right.<br />
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Most companies making single-speedable bikes these days are utilizing sliding dropouts similar those available from Paragon Machine Works, or swinging dropouts. With those designs, the rear axle moves in relation to everything else on the bike to tension the chain. This also allows the rider to change the rear end length of the bike to accommodate their riding style, but realistically, most riders are going to slide the rear axle to the shortest position they can get, singlespeed or multi speed. The ROS 9, like most frames in its class, is not marketed as a singlespeed frame but it makes a great cadidate for a SS conversion if the rider so pleases.<br />
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Niner initially chose to build many of their frames with eccentric bottom brackets, a design that has fallen out of favor with most other manufacturers over the years. The EBB basically means that the center of the cranks can be rotated around an axis in the center of an oversized BB shell in the frame. On the surface, this is simply a way to tighten a singlespeed drivetrain, but it can also significantly change the geometry and, therefore, the fit and handling of the bike. Moving the cranks forward, rearward, up, or down creates many more options, which, I am learning, is a blessing and a curse.<br />
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The frame came together easily. The details on the frame are elegant- the "yoke" that connects the chainstays to the bottom bracket allows lots of chainring clearance, fat tire clearance, and room to shove the rear wheel very "forward" and still has room for a front derailleur in case you're still into those. The yoke also serves as a convenient shelf to collect and store mud from your rear tire, an option I hope not to use if I can find a way to make a fender for that area. The curved seat tube creates lots of room for the rear tire in this tucked position and has a plug for an internally routed dropper post, something I hope to try out in the near future. The shorter chainstay allowed me to remove two full links from the chain when I transferred the drivetrain from my Soma Juice to the ROS 9, which was very satisfying. The dropouts feature a 142x12mm Rockshox Maxle in place of a traditional quick release dropout, which necessitated buying a new axle for my hub. It seems like a great feature to bring my bike fully into the 21st century, albeit not to the cutting edge or Boost hubs. I can live without the Boost option. It's a good-looking bike. Round steel tubes with a few funky bends, subdued paint and graphics (with Niner's signature "Pedal Damn It" on the top tube), and a dropout sans derailleur hanger for a clean singlespeed setup. I was under the impression that this would be a "heavy" bike, but I am used to heavy bikes and the build was only slightly heavier than my Juice.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">current form: 120mm fork, 34/21 drivetrain, offset seatpost, 60mm stem, 760mm riser bars, zombie head valve cap.</td></tr>
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I have to say, the experience was not the night-and-day difference I had been lead to expect. I read and watched a lot of reviews of this and similar "AM hardtails" that had me believing on some level that this frame would have me fearlessly leaping off cliffs and manualing across the freshly-sawn log bridges that do not exist within several hundred miles of any place I have ever ridden.<br />
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The truth was much more subtle and I am trying to suss out what makes it different from what I have ridden in the past. The back end of the bike of the bike is significantly shorter, which makes wrangling the front of the bike easier, and the fork angle is a bit slacker than what I am used to which supposedly makes holding a line on the downhills easier. I have yet to push the bike hard enough to feel a significant difference or I am fairly tone deaf to these subtleties. However, the changes are welcome ones so far.<br />
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One snafu I encountered was in fitting the bike to my inflexible, average, quasi-athletic body. Stated briefly, subtle differences in frame geometry and component dimensions can have a significant effect on how a bike fits and handles. Case in point: My Juice had a conventional 72 degree seat tube angle and I had a 16mm offset seatpost on it. the ROS 9 has a 74 degree seatpost angle and the frame came with a non-offset seatpost. Putting the saddle at the same height as my old frame resulted in the saddle being shoved forward about 25mm relative to the cranks. combine that with the slacker head tube angle on the new frame and I lost over and inch of reach from the saddle to the bars by setting up the ROS 9 this way. A somewhat short ride of 15 miles on local trails ended with severe lower back pain from being hunched over the bike for two hours.<br />
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I am experimenting with adjustments to the fit that will accommodate me better. I built this frame one week before <a href="http://www.castellgrind.com/" target="_blank">Castell Grind</a>, a 63-mile gravel road "race" that I knew would turn into a torture session if I did not remedy these issues beforehand. Luckily, I was able to borrow a seatpost with 25mm of offset (which is a lot of offset) and an 80mm stem to stretch out the reach. I was very pleased with the results. I finished 100 kilometers of country roads on a very unconventional bike: "heavy" all-mountain singlespeed hardtail in about 4 1/2 hours, with a singlespeed drivetrain, nonetheless. I finished the ride with zero back pain. More on that later.<br />
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On trails, I feel I have a little more confidence blasting over rock gardens, down chutes, and hucking the bike up ledges than I did with the Juice. the Juice was long and smooth, whereas the ROS 9 is snappy. More to come on setting up the bike and tweaking it for better fit and handling.mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-72454153487163697202017-03-27T06:09:00.000-07:002017-03-29T20:41:00.791-07:00May the Juice be with you- the final reviewI have been riding my Soma Juice for over two years and I think it's time to say goodbye to this lovely brownstone steed. It's a beautifully designed frame- the hourglass headtube, curve stays, elegant use of sliding dropouts, versatility, durability, and smooth ride have all served me well. I rode this bike primarily off-road, tackling Austin chunk every week, and one gravel race, which turned out to be my favorite gravel race yet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hXULsWkYzFE/WNf-F02CKBI/AAAAAAAAEVU/2r_biS4RXsoInAEk6VIiy4Kd31-jJZv3gCPcB/s1600/juice.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hXULsWkYzFE/WNf-F02CKBI/AAAAAAAAEVU/2r_biS4RXsoInAEk6VIiy4Kd31-jJZv3gCPcB/s320/juice.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">newborn Juice, January 2015</td></tr>
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The above copy sounds like an advertisement because I have been reading bicycle reviews for so long. The brutal truth is that I was working at a bike shop at the time that I purchased this frame and it was literally my only option. I was riding a too-small Surly Karate Monkey, which is also and excellent bicycle frame, and I wanted to ride something longer in terms of reach. After two decades of getting my kicks on a 20" BMX bike, "small" mountain bikes seemed like a good idea to me, so I was riding a frame on which I felt comfortable at first, but time and miles on the trail showed me how squirrely handling can be and how unforgiving on the spine it is.<br />
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I wanted a steel 29er that would easily convert to single-speed use and not break the bank. Working in a bicycle shop means you don't make a lot of money and, with other financial priorities in my life besides purchasing bicycle parts, I could not afford to buy much of anything that was not subject to a hefty industry discount. The company for which I was working has recently lost its relationship with Surly, so a new Karate Monkey was out. Due to various levels of corporate nonsense, I was also forbidden to buy anything else from any other bike company with which my employer did not already have a business relationship, so that left me with the option to pay full-price for something from another retailer, or buy a Juice direct from the distributor. I chose the latter.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZSbYpXpeiU/WNf98o8hBJI/AAAAAAAAEVU/oInPzncXrmI1ePFFwcrua-NfyauqZJuLwCPcB/s1600/20160818_221906.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZSbYpXpeiU/WNf98o8hBJI/AAAAAAAAEVU/oInPzncXrmI1ePFFwcrua-NfyauqZJuLwCPcB/s320/20160818_221906.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">preparing for Full Moon Fever, a nighttime gravel race, which was canceled due to a steady downpour that turned the dirt roads to rivers.</td></tr>
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I was not terribly excited about the Juice at first, feeling compelled by forces beyond my control to ride it over any other choices, but it turned out to be a great choice. I won't pretend that I can tell the subtle qualities of the metal tubes, the artistry of the welds, the "lateral/compliant" magical qualities of a "lively" bicycle that elevated me to mystical planes of existence. No, it's a piece of metal that connects two wheels and various components that translate human movement into locomotion. It does this much better than many other similar pieces of metal and it led to me having a lot of fun and burning a lot of calories in the process to make room for additional cookies that I would not have otherwise eaten.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's peanut butter jelly time!</td></tr>
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In short, the Juice was fun to ride, not very expensive and didn't keep me from doing anything I would not have otherwise done on a different bicycle frame.</div>
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At least that's what I tell myself.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6jYesgYksr0/WNf-CoymxRI/AAAAAAAAEVU/3wnLkjXDqwcPxYRw4_rUxhHmql71rsFZgCPcB/s1600/20160513_195912.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6jYesgYksr0/WNf-CoymxRI/AAAAAAAAEVU/3wnLkjXDqwcPxYRw4_rUxhHmql71rsFZgCPcB/s320/20160513_195912.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a brief experiment with gears instead of single-speed</td></tr>
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One thing that never felt entirely comfortable with on the Juice is the "weight" of the front end, which, for me has a lot to do with the chainstay length. Chainstay length on a mountain bike is a touchy subject, but I tend to land in the short camp. All other things equal, having the rear wheel tucked closer to you center of gravity makes it easier to shift your weight far enough behind the rear axle to huck the front wheel up onto or over whatever is in your way. Or just do a wheelie, which is an essential part of having fun on a bicycle.<br />
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The Juice is designed such that the sliding dropouts make the effective chainstay length about 445mm or just under 17.5". If you have gears on it, you can slam the sliders to this position and leave them there and this position is sufficient for many people, especially gearies. If you ride single-speed, you have to use the sliding position of the dropouts to tension the chain. With the range of effective chainstay lengths ranging from under 420mm (16.5") to ... much longer, the Juice limit of 445 leaves it on the long end of the spectrum.<br />
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Since I ride this bike with a single speed drivetrain most of the time, I have to make compromises, as all singlespeeders do. When the trail is flat and you want to go fast, there's a limit to how fast you can realistically go once you legs top out in RPMs. When the trail gets steep, the terrain loose, or you reach a series of rocky ledges, as often happens where I ride, most riders would shift to an easier gear, stay seated, and spin the cranks with relative leisure. It's still no picnic to spin your way up a hill in a low gear -- it's taxing on your heart and lungs. But with a single speed, you have to stand and "mash" the pedals in order to maintain momentum.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWdq8T42tM4/WNf9uwgXz6I/AAAAAAAAEVU/vGPGJYsB994cbG01atxFpk1f8866o4mcwCPcB/s1600/20170204_152102.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWdq8T42tM4/WNf9uwgXz6I/AAAAAAAAEVU/vGPGJYsB994cbG01atxFpk1f8866o4mcwCPcB/s320/20170204_152102.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lightweight tires and a hard gear ratio made urban exploration rides fun on rainy days.</td></tr>
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When a momentum-killing rock, ledge, patch of loose material, or change in topography presents itself, you have to react quickly, shifting your center of gravity on the bike to lift the front tire, unweight the back tire, or dig into the backside of and obstacle you have just cleared for that extra ounce of momentum. This is where bicycle designers have a conundrum that I don't envy: design a bike that is a compromise between stability and maneuverability. I think the Juice erred on the side of stability.<br />
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Climbing a hill on a singlespeed or navigating otherwise tricky terrain means shifting your weight around a lot, more so than you would need to with gears. To increase the amount torque applied to the rear wheel needed to keep going uphill, I need to change my body position so that my legs and piston the pedals up and down with more force. For me, that means standing up and getting forward a bit. Doing so, however, puts more weight on the front wheel and less on the back, increasing the chances of stalling out from a front-end collision or losing traction on the rear wheel and spinning out, thus ending the fun of painfully grinding my way up a ridiculous pitch of earth. If I lean back a bit to get the rear to bite harder, my legs lose some of the wattage I need to put into the pedals and I stall in lieu of ripping my knees apart or the pedals from the cranks. I am not sure which would go first.<br />
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What is the answer to this? The peanut gallery is saying "why don't you put gears on your bike, ya big dummy?" No, being stubborn is more fun and gives me writing fodder and another reason to be smug about riding my bike. No, really, the reasons for riding a single speed mountain bike are the subject of another session. The real answer has to do with what I mentioned earlier- is it the bike, or the rider? I think it's some combination of the two.<br />
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If I wanted to be able to rocket up and over all the difficult terrain I just described on a singlespeed bike, I could do one of two things:<br />
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1. ride more, get a stronger core and legs and arms, increase skill and vision to chose routes across the terrain that make those feats more likely to succeed.<br />
2. change my bike in such a way that it is more conducive to my skills and body proportions for the terrain.<br />
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I only have so much time and patience for 1) so I am trying 2). This goes back to what I was saying about frame design and balance. Each rider has a different center of gravity; the amount of effort it takes to shift one's weight to increase traction or unweight the front or rear of the bike is different. Most frame manufacturers only take into account a rider's skeletal proportions so that the contact points of the bike (pedals, saddle, handlebar) fit proportionally for efficient, comfortable pedaling. However, as riders' heights vary, so do their center of gravity. But frame designers typically only change the dimensions of the front end of the bike and not the rear to account for riders sizes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuI-aBI1JcU/WNf-Kv8TAXI/AAAAAAAAEVU/2jkqFRRPfbgt8Ll6uQ668HN1SyhCO4jWgCPcB/s1600/20151029_212428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuI-aBI1JcU/WNf-Kv8TAXI/AAAAAAAAEVU/2jkqFRRPfbgt8Ll6uQ668HN1SyhCO4jWgCPcB/s320/20151029_212428.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">post-nighttime ride that turned a bit muddy.</td></tr>
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For example, a few years ago, I helped a guy build a BMX bike for himself. This bike was designed for jumping, riding ramps, doing tricks, etc. With their small 20" tires, BMX bikes are very easy to toss around, but subtle changes in geometry can make the bike more stable or more "flickable." The trend in BMX bikes are the time was shorter and shorter chainstays. An older bike might have 14.5"-15" stays, especially if it was designed for racing or dirt jumping. At the time, chainstays were dipping well below 14" and pushing 13" to make the bike easier to flip around.<br />
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The problem was that this rider was six-and-a-half feet tall. The front end of the bike was designed with an extra-extra long top tube and he put the most enormous handlebar that he could find on it to accommodate his height. But the chainstay length remained true to the trend, extra short. With his height, lifting the front end required only the tiniest shift rearward, whereas a shorter rider would require more effort to do so. The result was that the bike was very unstable, difficult to find a balance point to manual it and easy to loop out and wind up laying on his back. He left the chain long enough that the rear axle was pushed as far back in the slots as was safe, but it still left a lot to be desired in terms of stability.<br />
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All this is to say that, while the Juice is a fantastic bike, I wanted something with a shorter chainstay so I can do wheelies on it and manhandle it over difficult terrain. All of my mountain bikes have been steel and rarely have seen gears, and the pool of available steel, 29er, singlespeedable framesets with short chainstays is a fairly short list. Stay tuned as I have already purchased and am now riding a new frame and will report on the new experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf6TBTvQ6nM/WNf9m0CT5BI/AAAAAAAAEVU/vKYinLckspAnUlhs8x495T_ADeAzptXlgCPcB/s1600/20170227_105913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf6TBTvQ6nM/WNf9m0CT5BI/AAAAAAAAEVU/vKYinLckspAnUlhs8x495T_ADeAzptXlgCPcB/s320/20170227_105913.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">secret location</td></tr>
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mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-67292529862084091402017-03-26T10:26:00.000-07:002017-03-26T10:26:31.715-07:00self-filmed video of Austin trailsI spent most of the day filming a video of myself (with a little help from trail guru Carl) and this is the result of many hours filming, editing clips, and cobbling together the footage. Enjoy!<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CDlTFTw8w9A/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CDlTFTw8w9A?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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All of the above video is taken within a few miles of trails near my home. I had trouble getting perspective on the terrain. The rather bouncy downhill sections and chunky climbs I am doing here look much more mellow than reality. I thought it was funny to include ten takes on the same climb, which is littered with little ledges and fat roots, only to discover that the angle only makes me look like an idiot who can't ride a bike in a straight line. I will need to work on that so my next video project is more compelling.</div>
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Bonus little behind-the-scenes info: I filmed this on my Samsung Galaxy 5s, which I always have on me anyway. I have made some cheesy videos in the past with a smart phone learning on a rock or bungee-corded to a tree. This time around, I went all-out and spent a whopping $13 on a <a href="http://a.co/7wbg46o" target="_blank">flexible tripod</a> that allowed me to balance and aim the camera exactly where I want it by perching it on a rock, warping around a tree brand, or standing it on the ground.</div>
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Filming took all day and I had to stop by the house halfway through to recharge my phone and eat a ridiculous sausage, which is also profiled in the film.</div>
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Further bonus info! These will probably be the last images of my riding the <a href="http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/juice" target="_blank">Soma Juice</a> frame. It's been a great frame but I am trying something new. A more thorough review of the Juice is coming soon.</div>
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<br />mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-44637424608252712952017-02-06T20:49:00.000-08:002017-02-06T20:52:33.424-08:00waterproof socksMy feet get cold easily. I probably have a medical condition. It's one of the many reasons why I can't imagine moving back to the Midwest, where I grew up. No amount of layers of socks made from cotton, synthetics, wool, baby seal or tauntaun guts (unless said tauntaun is really fresh, like warm saurkraut) can help me. I need an external heat source. The feeling of constantly-numb toes horrifies me so much that I would need to make a heavy investment in foot-warming apparatus before spending any significant amount of time up there again.<br />
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The only thing worse than cold feet is cold feet that are also wet. Since most of the cold water on might encounter while riding a bicycle is on the ground, it makes sense that keeping your feet dry would be important. Enter <a href="http://www.dexshell.com/" target="_blank">Dexshell </a>socks. There are a few other makers of waterproof socks on the market but these are a little cheaper than the others and I got a pair for Christmas this year. I finally had the opportunity to put them to the test this weekend.<br />
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I joined some friends for an urban ramble on a foul Texas "winter" day of overcast skies, drizzily atmostphere, and frigid <i>sub-50</i> temperatures! OK, it was not that cold, but cool enough to make getting wet miserable. We had planned to ride from a friend's east-side home to a park on the north side from town, then south through the city and back over to the house. I had time to do about half of that and learned that a rigid 29er with fat knobbies is not the worst road bike choice after all.<br />
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At one point, we made a point of going off-road, despite the soggy conditions and the fact that none of us was riding a bona fide mountain bike. We abandoned the world of pavement as soon as we could and followed a jeep road for a while, hoping it would eventually lead us back to civilization. Before we made our way back to pavement, we had to traverse a boggy area that resulted in wet shoes all around. Seeing the water, I realized that, given the misery that cold feet gives me, I would probably be scurrying home once I felt the water sloshing around in my shoes. So I took the plunge.</div>
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Cold? Yes! But dry. Dexshell socks held up to this first test. I learned that my toe covers and my shoes hold water well, and that cold water surrounding my feet for the next few hours certainly was not fun, but much better than being wet.<br />
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We kept riding and at one point I peeled off to head home. I stayed dry for most of the rest of the trip and lost feeling in my toes, as was expected. I learned that wet shoes are still cold shoes, so if you really want to keep feeling your toes, you need more than waterproof socks, but the socks are a good start.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[followed this concrete wall for a part of my journey. good message!]</td></tr>
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<br />mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-68169683518842772502017-02-06T20:24:00.003-08:002023-03-06T10:56:32.474-08:00Texas Chainring Massacre reportHalf of the fun of mountain biking, for me at least, is exploring and just pedaling for as long as I can be out before life's obligations call me back. The other half is about technical challenges. Sometimes I want to focus on the latter, and I can find plenty of nearby trails to challenge me in that regard. The best way to do the former is a gravel grinder, a popular race/fun ride format that involves riding long courses on unpaved, rural roads.<br />
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I have done a few of these over the years, including <a href="http://bicyclesportshop.com/about/holey-roller-pg2301.htm" target="_blank">The Holy Roller</a>, <a href="http://www.castellgrind.com/" target="_blank">Castelle Grind</a>, and the <a href="http://www.spinistry.net/" target="_blank">Texas Chainring Massacre</a>. Previously, I have ridden cyclocross-type bikes that I have owned (Pake C'mute, Salsa Vaya, Soma Double Cross Disc) and, while those bikes have been great for this kind of riding with 32-42mm knobby tires, I took the plunge a few months ago and sold my last CX bike and committed to making my Soma Juice hardtail 29er my only bike. With a little bit of adapting, a mountain bike makes a great gravel grinder. Most of the hundreds of other people riding around me (and past me!) were riding cyclcross/gravel-specific bikes for good reason, but I just wanted to do this for fun and finish these events strong with my bike.<br />
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In addition to riding what many will consider a sub-optimal bike for a gravel race, I chose to try this last event, the 2017 Texas Chainring Massacre 100k on a single-speed bike. To make my bike gravel-ready, I had to change a few things from my usual trail setup:<br />
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*replaced the 120mm suspension fork with a rigid Salsa Chromoto Grande fork. This fork has a tapered steerer tube like my squish fork, and a 15mm through axle, so I didn't need to do anything different with my front wheel.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiaIqL5Euwfp4hk10IzIARKRVgtdBZ-QOe1fOFbM6aZACGRkBytj61U8L3ZCvsERsdTqLFti2BODaS53QaV6OJWlavqq-gkf9P1hzv5w0VY0lv0Ew7OzTpX_tecb1p7wrf_6x3l0mGarI0aRotqhD-Rom7_JBQeGUa03a2Ta4b24HbsEkGcDJXammjA/s640/Soma%20Juice%20gravel%20mode.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiaIqL5Euwfp4hk10IzIARKRVgtdBZ-QOe1fOFbM6aZACGRkBytj61U8L3ZCvsERsdTqLFti2BODaS53QaV6OJWlavqq-gkf9P1hzv5w0VY0lv0Ew7OzTpX_tecb1p7wrf_6x3l0mGarI0aRotqhD-Rom7_JBQeGUa03a2Ta4b24HbsEkGcDJXammjA/s320/Soma%20Juice%20gravel%20mode.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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*swapped my 60mm stem and 740mm riser bar for a 100mm stem and 640mm flat bar. I also put some bar ends and <a href="https://togs.com/" target="_blank">TOGS</a>. Since most riders use a bike with a drop handlebar for additional hand positions, I felt that this was the next best thing, and I ended up using 3-4 hand positions over my hours on the road<br /><br />
*gearing- this was a tough call. I live in Austin and the event is held in north Texas. I had ridden CRM two years ago on a geared bike and did not remember the terrain well enough to know how much climbing would be involved. Knowing I would not have the options of shifting gears meant picking a gear that would cruise well on the flat sections and be easy enough to pedal up the hills. I went with a 38t front chainring and an 18t rear in place of the 32/20 combo that I usually use. As a bail-out option, I slid a 20t cog on next to the first cog, so that I could wrap my chain around it without too much drama and hobble to the finish on a slightly easier gear.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[big ol' KMC singlespeed chain actually didn't play nice with my Raceface narrow-wide ring, so I put an old 10-speed chain on instead]</td></tr>
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<br />*tires- this is, in my opinion, the thing that can make or break a gravel grind experience. I have ridden these events on 32mm Contintal Race Kings, 42mm Conti Speed Rides, and 35mm WTB Cross Boss tires. Every time I do one of these rides, I start to think "man, I wish I had bigger tires on my bike. next time I'll put some fatties on!"<br />
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While the <a href="http://www.wtb.com/products/cross-boss" target="_blank">Cross Boss</a> has been my favorite "skinny" tire so far (partially due to the effortless tubeless application), I found a good deal on some Schwalbe Thunderburt tires in a 29x2.1 size and chose those over the Specialized Renegades that were competing for my attention. Thunderburts are light, supple, and fast on hardpack and on pavement, and the casing is big enough to roll at lower pressures. They seated easily on my WTB rims and have been grippy enough for some nimble singletrack riding.<br />
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The Chainring Massacre experience was my best gravel race yet. Kevin and the Spinistry team have upped their game this year with a much better-organized event than my last experience. There were hundreds of riders, timing chips, well-marked turns on the course for people riding different distances, and credit for free food/ liquor in the little town square at the end of the ride. The route took us through beautiful, remote farm roads and lots of challenging gravel, rolling hills, and folks willing to spin and chat once the group spread out enough.<br />
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As I mentioned, hand position options were a great idea for my mountain bike. I am having a harder and harder time making the case for myself that I should ever own a drop-bar bike again when I can ride narrow flat bars with ends and get the same effect (for my purposes, at least, YMMV). Tires were spectacular, I brought plenty of snacks and water, and I dressed warm enough for the ride that started just about freezing and ended in the low 50s. My toes quickly went numb and stayed that way for the duration of the ride, and I don't recall stopping to pee at any point. Pedaling and drinking water and not peeing for that period of time is probably not healthy.<br />
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I managed to finish in just over 5 hours and I was the 200th rider to complete the 100k distance. That is not impressive my any means, but I was riding against at least one <a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/other-sports/article129394414.html" target="_blank">Tour de France champion</a> and handicapped myself with a relatively heavy bike with only one gear. I was perfectly pleased with my performance, though. I rode strong the whole time, only stopped once at the lone water station to refill, and didn't walk any of the hills, as much as my legs wanted me to.<br />
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Looking back, I would have geared down just a <i>tiny</i> bit to help with the hills (maybe a 19t cog instead of 20t) and shoved some warmers in my shoes to prevent the numbness that plagued me the whole way. Looking forward to next year. Before that, I have Castell, Holy Roller, and whatever urban rambles I can cobble together in the meantime.<br />
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<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-88896411593778067812016-12-14T20:44:00.001-08:002016-12-15T20:16:39.643-08:00The versatile Soma Juice- gravel modeAs I mentioned in my last entry, I recently sold my Soma Double Cross Disc not because it was not a terrific bike, but because it didn't do anything that my mountain bike could not. Selling it gave me some extra cash to put into new parts for my Juice. Here's a bit of what I have been doing with that cash lately.<br />
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"Mountain bike" means a lot of different things to different people, and many just buy one bike and accept its limitations or buy several bikes that do some things well at the expense of others. As a matter of personal budget, I don't have a lot of disposable income to spend on bicycle paraphernalia, and I would rather have one really nice bike than two or three mediocre bikes. More importantly, I have a fairly utilitarian perspective on my personal belongings. I strive to have as little as possible in my life cluttering my endeavors and I have to make a conscious effort to keep from being a packrat with bicycle gear.<br />
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The Juice allows me to build a rowdy trial ripper and a fast gravel grinder by just changing a few things between rides. Yes, it would be easier to own two bicycles, but it would cost a lot more and I would have to find storage for another bicycle. Here is what I have been riding on some non-technical trails and more technical trails than I intended.<br />
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I have a little over a month before the <a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/ValleyView/TexasChainringMassacre17?remMeAttempt=" target="_blank">Texas Chainring Massacre</a>, which I am riding 100k, and a few months to the 100k <a href="http://www.castellgrind.com/" target="_blank">Castell Grind</a>. I have ridden these events before on a cyclocross bike with 32, 35, and 42mm tires. Every time I participate in a gravel event on a CX bike, I start to think halfway through, "this would be a lot more fun on a bike with bigger tires!" Now is the time to test that theory.<br />
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I bought a Salsa Chromoto Grande fork used for a great deal. This fork has a tapered steerer tube and a 15mm thru axle just like my Reba suspension fork, but it's considerably lighter and more responsive.<br />
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The handlebar is a flat Answer bar that I got online for $10 and cut down to about 26", which is 4" narrower than the normal riser bars I use for trails. To make up for the narrower handlebar, I have a 100mm stem, 40mm longer than the 60mm stem I also use for trail riding. I finished the cockpit with some Ergon bars ends. I removed these ends from some Ergon wingy grips. I have no use for the flappy bits on Ergons, but the bar ends will clamp onto a handlebar on their own.<br />
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I have been experimenting with single-speed gear ratios for trail riding. 32/20 seems to work for any sort of chunk and climbing, but I have found that I am hack it 90% of the time with a 32/18 ratio as well and go faster on the flat areas. For gravel grinders though, I know that most of the terrain will be flat or at least in a straight line. For this reason, I bought a 38t Raceface front ring and I am experimenting with 18, 19 and 20 cogs on the rear. So far, 38/18 is working just fine. I set a personal record on a long climb with this setup just the other day.<br />
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Finally, nothing changes the ride of a bike like a change of tires. I have not ridden them yet, but I just acquired some 29x2.1 Schwalbe Thunder Burt tires. These tires are well under 600 grams each, unlike the 800+ gram trail tires I normally ride, and the minimal center tread should roll much faster on hardpack and gravel roads as a result.<br />
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<br />mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-23154218500463730672016-10-21T05:53:00.000-07:002016-10-21T05:53:55.806-07:00CX on singletrack- followupI wrote a year ago about riding my <a href="http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/double-cross-disc" target="_blank">Soma Double Cross Disc</a> everywhere, including "mountain bike" trails. While it was a fun experiment, it ended a few months ago. The DCD was a great bike for roads, easy trails, commuting, and gravel races, but it ceased to be sufficiently useful to me after a while.<br />
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This bike served to do all the things that I thought my mountain bike would do poorly- commute, roads, gravel, occasional single track. As it turns out, my <a href="http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/juice" target="_blank">Some Juice</a> mountain bike does everything I need it to do, hence the DCD becoming redundant.<br />
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My current job requires a 20-mile commute each way, so by bike, it would add about 3 hours or more to my work day. While I commend the bike warriors who would make such a commitment to pedaling that much, it's not for me. My wife would be constantly worried about me in traffic, especially in the dark and there's no shower at work to wash off 90 minutes worth of sweat from the Texas sun. At this point in my life, commuting by bike to work is just not practical. Maybe someday things will be different and I will start riding to work again, but I'll get a commuter bike at that time.<br />
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Road riding is something I wish I could do sometimes, but I have found that riding a mountain bike on roads can be fun-er! I had signed up for a nighttime gravel race and intended to do it on my mountain bike. I have done several gravel races in the past and always did them on a CX bike (more on that in a minute) but decided that I would have more fun on a hardtail MTB this time around. The race ended up being cancelled due to heavy rains, so I ended up doing a mixed-surface, 4-hour ride in the pouring rain with a friend. We mashed just short of 50 miles and riding mountain bikes made us fearless to hop curbs, ride through the soggy grass, and smash through some ditches.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bar ends, frame bag, and DIY fenders all seemed necessary!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I rode the 62-mile <a href="http://www.castellgrind.com/" target="_blank">Castell Grind </a> this spring on the DCD. I had a ton of fun crushing 100 kilometers of remote central Texas country roads. The weather was perfect, my recently-installed <a href="http://www.wtb.com/products/cross-boss" target="_blank">WTB Cross Boss</a> tubeless tires performed wonderfully, and the course was challenging. I found that having skinny tires floated over the hard-packed parts of the roads swiftly, but this course, like most of the gravel courses I have ridden, has just enough soggy sand pits and stretches of washboard surfaces that it really took a lot out of me. It left me thinking "wouldn't this be more fun with a flat handlebar, balloon tires, and a squishy fork?" The answer is probably yes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only real hill on my 100K Castell Grind.</td></tr>
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Singletrack where I live is pretty darn chunky. Even the flat "easy" sections are peppered with exposed rock and boulders that keep me on my toes. While riding the CX bike on singletrack was a fun new challenge, it was a bridge too far. I would frequently have to slow down so much to tackle the terrain that my front tire would catch the toe of my shoes, something that never happens on my mountain bike. Toe overlap was never a problem on my mountain bike, but ratcheting over and around rocks on my CX bike was disastrous for the tips of my shoes. As fun and fast as it could be, I realized that all of it would be a lot more fun on my mountain bike.<br />
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After all that consideration and looking at the deteriorating condition of my mountain bike, I concluded that I would rather have a few hundred bucks in my pocket to spend than a bike that doesn't offer the maximum number of grins per hour. A nice local gal bought my DCD and is commuting around town on it now. I hope she loves that bike as much as I did.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good day to stick to the roads.</td></tr>
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<br />mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-20814319788486315502016-10-20T07:02:00.000-07:002016-10-20T07:02:37.045-07:00back from the real world!I have not been sleeping well lately. Last night I woke up at 2 a.m., like most nights in the last few weeks, and could not shut off my brain. I was thinking about bicycles, of course. I spun in bed like a stuck pig in a blanket with a lot of ideas boiling in my head. "You should blog this stuff, bro," my conscious intoned. I considered the phrase "my conscious intoned" and decided to time-stamp that gem. 3:49 a.m. My eyes are burning under their lids, but still no asleep!<br />
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You can't will yourself to sleep. I find that if I am fixated on something, that persistent jerk in my head won't let go. (Who is that guy, anyway? Get out!) I finally got some sleep, but not before I outlined some objectives to write about to get this blog rolling again. Hopefully my findings will be of some help to other riders and mechanics.<br />
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To bring readers (all 4 of you) up to speed, I was working at an independent bike shop about this time last year. The general state of disarray of that shop was my inspiration for this blog. I combined my past experiences of what was good about past bike shops and juxtaposed it to all things that were wrong and unfixable with that shop and started writing.<br />
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I worked at that shop for one month and it was a letdown on several fronts. Providence smiled on me a few weeks in when someone from a newspaper company called me about a job. I had been working in bicycle shops for the past six years (minus a 6-month foray as an apprentice commercial electrician, which was a hoot!) after being laid off from a magazine gig at the beginning of the "great recession" in early 2009. I loved the bike shop jobs, but, as I have written, it's generally a low-paying career choice and I wanted my Journalism degree to count for something. For the past year, I have done some writing and proofreading for publications.<br />
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This is a trajectory for my career that makes sense, pays more (but not much), and gives me weekends off and enough time in the mornings to squeeze in a short bike ride. It's not as fun a wrenching on bikes, and I don't have ready access to deeply-discounted bike parts like I did, but it all comes out in the wash. Nitpicking newspaper pages is actually very satisfying to me.<br />
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I was not surprised to learn that, less than a year after I left my previous bike shop for the newspaper gig, that bike shop went out of business. It's sad to see another independent bicycle shop go, but I saw a lot of issues there that I knew would have that result. Those issued inspired me to write in the first place, so we have that. I hope everyone previously involved in that shop is doing well.<br />
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I have a few ideas in the hopper so stay tuned. Coming soon:<br />
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<ul>
<li>review of the Soma Double Cross Disc and the limits of cyclocross bikes</li>
<li>review of the Soma Juice I have been riding</li>
<li>more retrogrouch ranting</li>
<li>thought experiments (and actual ones, hopefully) in mountain bike fit and geometry</li>
</ul>
mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-498472661554075447.post-88223302230620651692015-10-25T13:31:00.000-07:002018-07-05T09:13:59.527-07:00Avoid tubeless disastersThere is high demand among mountain bikers for tubeless tires on their bikes, and for good reason! Anyone who has ever ridden a bicycle has experienced a mid-ride flat tire. Since these are relatively rare on pavement with a good quality tire and proper installation, I will leave road tubeless alone for now. I want to focus today on tubeless tire for off-road applications where riders are concerned with thorns punctures and pinch flats.<br />
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The beauty of a tubeless system on a mountain bike is that the latex-based sealants available will seal up most punctures caused by the local vegetation, and eliminating the tube means there is no tube to pinch in a hard impact. This means riders can ride worry-free through over-grown trails and run much lower pressures to increase traction on the trail. Many who are used to pumping their tires to 35-40 psi to avoid pinch flats can enjoy a grippier, softer ride at pressures below 25. The feeling is liberating and many bike shop customers will ask their local shop if a) the new bike they are eyeing is "tubeless ready" or b) if the shop can convert their existing wheels and tires to tubeless.<br />
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As I have seen, many bicycle mechanics are all to eager to please and are willing to "convert" a rim and tire combination to a tubeless kludge. Consider the results of a <i>badly done</i> tubeless conversion: your customer happily starts riding after you return the freshly converted bike. He or she drops the tire pressure to 24 PSI and decides to test the system on the local trails. As the rider gains some confidence and rails a tight turn, the tire slips off the rim. If the rider (and the mechanic responsible) is lucky, the tire merely "burps" some air and the rider has to top off the pressure at the next stop. Otherwise, the rider could crash, causing bodily harm and damage to the bike. The shop that did the work could get negative reviews or face a lawsuit. This is a lose-lose for mechanics and customers.<br />
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The other reason to refuse to do questionable conversions is productivity. Anyone who as attempted more than a few conversions knows that some take longer than others. A conversion should take no longer than the time it takes to wrap the rim in tape, install a valve, mount a tire, squirt some sealant, and inflate the tire. You should not have to struggle to get a tire to inflate and seal. Inflating the tire should take no more than one minute- if it takes longer, the tire and rim combination is somehow sub-optimal and will likely not stay sealed and inflated.<br />
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<b>Basically, inflating a tubeless tire needs to result in a tight fit on the "shelf" of the rim. If the rim is not designed to form a tight enough seal or the rim is fitted with a strip that sufficiently seals it, the movement that results tire failure what could be catastrophic. Stan's has an excellent article on the topic<span style="color: purple;"> <a href="http://www.notubes.com/The-NoTubes-Advantage-Conversion-Explained.aspx" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a></span>.</b><br />
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To minimize the chances of a tire failure, let's first lay out what NOT to use in a tubeless conversion:<br />
<ul>
<li>"Cheap" tires- in a professional setting, I would not attempt a tubeless conversion on any tire that has a wire bead, or any tire that is not somehow identified by the manufacturer as "sealant compatible" or "tubeless ready," or at least otherwise known to be a good quality tire with strong casing. Some tires are known to break down chemically with some sealants, which is why <a href="http://bicycle.kendatire.com/en-us/tire-tech/tire-types/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Kenda identifies some of their tires at SCT</span></a>.</li>
<li>Rims that are not designated as "tubeless ready" by the manufacturer, unless used with an appropriately chosen and installed tubeless rims strip, such as <a href="http://www.notubes.com/Rim-Strips-C13.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Stan's strips</span></a>.</li>
<li>Tire/ rim combinations that are known to be problematic. You will need to do some research on this, but if the mounted tire is impossibly tight or incredibly loose, the end result will be bad.</li>
</ul>
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Manufacturers have developed several options and "standards" for tubeless tires and rims, and not all of them are compatible with one another. I will not go into very disputed merits of each system, as I am primarily concerned with compatibility. The most common tubeless interfaces you will find are:<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubeless_tire#UST" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">UST- Universal System for Tubeless</span></a>. This system requires rims and tire casing and bead to be manufactured with narrow specifications to be considered UST.</li>
<li>BST is <a href="http://www.notubes.com/BST/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Stan's NoTubes</span></a> design is intended to allow riders to use "regular" tires in a tubeless system. It is found on their ZTR rims, and on a few licensed products, notably <a href="http://sun-ringle.com/technology/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Sun-Ringle</span></a> (click "Features"). Stan's rim strips can also create a BST-type interface when done correctly.</li>
<li>"Tubeless ready" is a bit murkier. Most "tubeless ready" tires have a bead similar to UST specifications but without the airtight casing and therefore require sealant to work. <a href="http://www.wtb.com/pages/tcs" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Wilderness Trail Bikes' TCS</span></a> and <a href="http://www.bontrager.com/technology/why_tubeless_ready" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Bontrager TLR</span></a> designs might fit under this category.</li>
<li>"Ghetto tubeless" is a DIY kludge involving the use of a split inner tube, various tapes, home-brewed latex sealant, and other methods. Some of these methods work wonderfully for riders, but should never be done in a bicycle shop.</li>
</ul>
The final but equally important issue to consider is how well any particular tubeless-specific tire will fit and seal on any particular tubeless-specific or converted rim. I have found that BST rims and Stan's rim strip conversions do not play well with UST, TCS, or several other "tubeless ready" bead tires. I witnessed the anguish of a friend trying to fit some WTB TCS tires on his Stan's rims recently, breaking several tire levers and very nearly breaking some fingers in the process. The bead on most rims with a bead based on the UST design is simply too tight to fit reasonably on BST rims (Stan's agrees with me <span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.notubes.com/help/recommendedtires.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">here</span></a>)</span>, so I don't recommend trying those.<br />
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If you are ever uncertain about what kind of materials are needed to successfully convert a rim to tubeless, ask the manufacturer directly. If it causes your customer to wait an extra day to get wheels back, it will be worth it to both parties to do it right rather tan compromising in the name of expediency. For example, I just noticed that Alex manufactures several rims (MD21, for example) with their <a href="http://www.alexrims.com/technology.asp" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Tubeless Ready System or TRS</span></a>, which they describe as "<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "mingliu" , "pmingliu"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">Tubeless Ready System = Universal Valve + Rim Tape + Sealant,</span>" but they fail to specify what tape and valves are to be used. That kind of specificity may seem absurdly fastidious to some, but a good bicycle mechanic makes or breaks a career on that fastidiousness. [I will follow up with Alex on this topic.]<br />
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Whatever you do, make certain that you understand how tubeless systems work, what combinations and techniques work the best. Set standards for your shop so that everyone on staff is on-board with using the same techniques so there is continuity from the sales floor to the service writer to the mechanic and back to the customer. Your shop and your customers will be happy.<br />
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addendum 5 July, 2018: I recently had my Schwalbe mountain bike tires leaking a lot of air in spite of a proper tubeless rim, tape, valves, and sealant. I sprayed soapy water on the tire and rim to locate the leaks and noticed fine bubbles all around the sidewalls of the tires. I pulled the tires off the rim and discovered that the Truckerco sealant I have been using had not reached the inside of the tires' sidewall at all, but had concentrated on the middle of the tire tread.<br />
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Suffice it to say that the "tubeless dance" you're supposed to do it important! when installing new tires, turn the wheel sideways in your hand so the rim is parallel to the ground. Roll, swish, shake, dance a little gig to slosh the sealant all over the inside of the tire. Schwalbe sidewalls are notoriously thin, so really coating the inside of tires like this is especially important. I have not tried "painting" the inside of the tire with sealant, but I might try that with an actual paintbrush in the future.<br />
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The other bit of advice is to avoid tires with very thin sidewalls. As nice as lightweight tires feel, tires that hold air consistently are preferable.mack_the_turtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862006360381841748noreply@blogger.com5