My Area 106

One mean set of wheels...

Thought I would share my latest purchase of a wheeled machine. My new Honda HRX Versamow lawnmower that is.

This thing rocks!! Now, only if I could get it in a 29er version.

Heck, even my dogs are impressed with this thing.

Bob

CAMBA Trail Day (at Quail Hollow)

I spent last Saturday with several of CAMBA's (Cleveland Area Mountain Biking Association) finest in a trail maintenance day at my local trail "Quail Hollow" in order to get it in tip top shape for the upcoming season. As I pulled into the parking lot several other cars had just pulled in before me. The first thing I noticed was the trend setting dress attire of "carharts" galore, which immediately caused me to see myself as a "trail day rookie" (sporting my denim jeans and sweatshirt attire). Though I was dressed as a rookie, I was immediately embraced by the team and quickly handed a shaping tool by the trail steward (Tim Rhodes). I tried to convince them I should be strictly a group photographer, but they didn't buy it.

We broke up into several groups and headed out onto different sections of the trail. I headed off with a few CAMBA trail veterans so I could quickly learn the ropes and get a good feel for what was to be done. Mike, Jeff and Crow were excellent teachers as we made our way shaping the trail. I especially liked the task of hunting for flat rocks which aid the building of rock bridges for low lying areas (that don't drain water very well). Problem was, not much of a selection for rocks in most of the areas that needed them. It was like hunting for easter eggs.

We broke for lunch around noon and Mike surprised the trail crew with his lunch tray of pulled pork and a really tasty spicy sauce. It was awesome!! We also enjoyed some chocolate cake as we celebrated one of the members birthdays. Man, was this so cool...

1980's rewind...

 

Can you guess who?

When: August 1983

Where: Ft Benning, Georgia

I feel your pain Edinboro, PA...

I snapped this pic just last week (Thursday, April 9th). C'mon snow, time to leave. I was heading north to Erie, PA and encountered all this snow in Edinboro, PA (about 15 minutes south of Erie). Edinboro is the recipient of "lake effect snow". It must suck living in Edinboro during the winter months.

Bob

Test Ride: Factory Demo Tour coming this weekend

Mark your calendars! The Trek and Gary Fisher Factory Demo Tour is coming to "My Area 106". Those of you in the Cleveland, Ohio area will need to make sure to schedule a "comp" day from work and make sure tojoin Trek and    (CAMBA) at Reagans Park (Medina, Ohio) for the business riders special. We'll be set up from 10am till 4pm for each of the demo days.

Make sure to bring your valid drivers license to the demo. You must have a valid license and credit card to test ride. All test rides are free of charge!!

Remember, we follow the rules of IMBA (Leave no trace), so all demo's are weather permitting. We try our best to ride, but if there's a lot of rain we will cancel the demo.

We will have two trailers this spring. We not only have the Trek Factory Demo rig on hand but the Trek Women Demo Tour rig as well.

       

Dave O'Connell and Chris Garrison (Demo Tech Reps) along with yours truly will be on hand helping to set up some of the hottest bikes going for 2009. The models that will be on hand are: Madone, Top Fuel, Fuel EX, Remedy, HiFi 26" & 29", Roscoe and of course the Superfly. Women's WSD models include the Madone, 2.1, Fisher ARC, 7.5FX, Fuel EX 8, Top Fuel and the Fisher HiFi (26"). Plenty of sizes for all riders.

Here are the dates and locations for these May Demo's:

• Friday, May 15th    10am - 4pm           Reagan Park (Medina, Ohio) in cooperation with CAMBA

• Saturday, May 16th  10am - 4pm          Alum Creek North (Columbus, Ohio)

• Sunday, May 17th   10am - 4pm                North Park (Pittsburgh, PA)

Leave a comment for me if you have specific questions.

Hope we see you there!!

Bob

Write this one like you stole it...

 

Blog-jacked? This was pretty good, and I had no idea it was going on. I was asked today if I had checked out my site lately (which I hadn't, but then knew something was going on). Great job Travis and thanks for taking charge in keeping this blog site alive. I forgot that I gave my blog mentor full access to this site and my passwords. I've got to remember to close that back door!!

Nonetheless Travis, these past few posts are outstanding!! To be honest, I was all prepared to let this blog die and was about to pull the life line sometime over the next couple weeks. I've been looking and thinking of ways to make the blog new, exciting and different. I was thinking that many of my posts were pretty much the same time and time again. Heck, reading about a sales rep and how slow he rides can't be too thrilling, eh?

Itsbeen real busy this winter and spring thus far on the bike job side of things. I haven't spent too much time on my urban bike since the break in the weather, but have had the opportunity to get a few awesome trail rides in (primarily at Mohican State Park). The Mohican trail drys so quickly it is the trail of choice, especially in these early days of spring. The Mohican trail crew deserves big props for all the work that has been done on the trail this winter. On or around mile marker 6-7 there looked to be about 3 large size trees that had fallen during a late winter wind storm. The crew was able to saw through these and clear the trail. You'll notice it when you ride through, but just remember who did this for us. Thanks again to Ryan, Steve, Rob (and all the folks I'm leaving out - "not on purpose").

Just in case you haven't seen it (its fairly new, so I don't think most have), Trek just put into stock some new T Shirt designs. These T's are made of a real soft cotton and are a bit more fitted than your typical t shirt's. We have Bontrager, Trek, Fisher designed T's that sell for $24.99 a T Shirt. This one picture above is one of my favorites (along with the Bontrager) because its black, but I like the saying "Ride this one like you stole it", or in my case had someone write on my blog like they stole it (Travis). This is also a tribute T to Trek's Project One and Livestrong commitments. Ask your local Trek retailer to bring them in if they don't already have them. I think they call this the "push" technique in marketing terms.

On another note, that 29er Crew Team Kit that Travis posted sure looks cool!! Travis better not leave those bib shorts lying around (hate to have someone put some icy hot on that chamois).

Bob

Vacation Giveaway

Since i'm still "blogjacking" the site i figured Bob could have a give away. so i'm thinking he'll be giving away a coupon for a free 20oz Big Gulp at the 7 eleven on stanwick street. (what? your going to ask where that is, come on its a giveaway you can't be choosy!) Bob (actually me since he's missing) will be posting some pictures and looking for good captions. so send them in as comments.

Disclaimer: Neither Bob nor I nor anyone else affliliated with this site my site your site or any other site similair to Bobs mine yours or any other site is responsible for actually giving anything away.

A new look for '09

So the 29er Crew has a new look for 2009. Bob should be proud to have 4 riders on this National Team. Now keep the comments coming...we need to get his attention.
Bob we want you back!!

"blogjacked"

ok i don't know where Bobs been hiding or what Bobs been up to but I've been clicking on this site everyday for the past month looking for something new only to be disappointed each & every time. SO i took the liberty of hacking into the site (boy are Bobs passwords easy- hint: diet coke) and figured i would update it for him.
For those of you unfamiliar with me let me start by suggesting you read my blog. It's layed out in a much more professional manner and the stories are..well they're top notch, if i say so myself, gripping adventurous tales of life from an addicted bike rider.
Ok whats new ....well let start with the Bontrager RXL mtb shoes. I've been rocking a pair for a few weeks now and i'm very impressed with their overall quality and performance. I went with a white pair (mainly because i'm capable of "pulling it off" so unless you also have the style skills i suggest the black. The cleats fit up nice and there were markers on the bottom to help line up each shoe. I also found these to be advantageous when setting up a second (new) pair. The insoles are also a nice feature for those that want to "adjust" the arch support. You'll have to go into a local shop and check them out. Oh yea an added plus for those of you measuring grams...their fairly light!!

Next up lets talk some tyres...particularly the Bontrager MudX...it shouldn't be over looked as a great race tyre. I've been wearing down a pair for the past few months and I'm very pleased with its abilities. I have them wrapped around a Rhythm wheelset to help "spread'em" open. The work great in the rocks and traction was at a premium with the extra siping in the knobs. They quickly became a favorite around our shop and on the trails.
Ok there you have a few product reviews from a racers perspective. Now lets post some comments asking Bob to please come back...Bob are you out there? Bob? Is that you, Bob?