After spending the weekend at home I had put of riding yesterday to spend some time working on projects. So today while going home from class I ran into Tyler, who lives across the hall from Brittany in her apartment complex, who rides mountain bikes. We had talked earlier this year about getting together to ride so I figured what time better than the present. After sorting out a starting time I told him I would be back at 4PM to get thing going.

Since Tyler rides a full-suspension bike I decided I would be better off riding The Cove today than messing with the single speed. I knew I needed to take care of my chain from this weekends ride, and removing the big chainring, but they were both easy parking-lot fixes.

Eventually we got on the trail and suffered through the first climb but the trail is moderately flat for the first half until the climb to Athens Trail. We were rolling smooth Tyler's bike really let him climb great being able to just power up hills I am used to waiting at the top of. We rode a moderate pace which kept me under control and both of us comfortable. The both of us made it all the way to the Athens Trail climb without stepping off the bike (except for a water break). So I had a good feeling about today and not to mention I had a set of gears today.

The hardest part of this climb for me initially is to make the turn into the climb, at an almost full 180 degrees I usually end up riding off the trail or needing to stop and re-adjust. Today however I made the turn successfully except I had slow so much that Tyler ended up having to bail out behind me but quickly got going again. The next major milestone for the climb is a small kick up next to the second tree with a few roots, but the gears were there to keep the tires moving. With a huge smile on my face I had made it up the first section now for the technical part. The next two sections are not steep, but very technical. The first is a tree's roots that without proper planning can have you spinning a tire and blowing your climb but I have been planning my line for the last three rides so this one was cake. The final technical section of the climb is another set of tree roots that have a deep dip and some very loose dirt that ended up claiming my victory today. I picked the low line thinking I would sit down to put the weight down but it didn't help I was forced to step off. Had I been alone I would have ridden down to the bottom and do it again. Like Crilli said sometimes it takes more than one ride to really understand a hill/mountain so this leaves me a new goal for the solo ride. 100% completion forwards then time to work on the backwards route.

On another note, I have some secret weaponry coming Friday (mountain bike related)...


Willis out!

With no early class on Wednesday I sent out another txt message tuesday night to line up a group for a morning ride. I got a single response from Bryan who said he was in.

So I woke up around 9 and decided to relax until around 10 to meet Bryan at 10:20. So after picking him up we headed to Sell's Park to ride the Athens Trail system.

We were rolling good and after passing a set of hikers I was feeling great, but knew Bryan who was battling a cold would soon need a rest so I pulled over and we chatted a bit and got back on the bike. A few minutes later I rode past two downed trees with their root balls exposed and a few seconds later heard Bryan's derailleur slap against the frame and figured he was close behind so I stopped to chat a bit but no Bryan. I headed back to find him standing next to his bike. He let me know he had taken a spill which after the ride he realized he had hit a root end-oed and slid on his side back first into a tree.

After a few minutes and making sure he could feel everything we were back on the trail. I could tell Bryan was feeling timid about riding so after the downhill sections I waited for him to catch up to keep him going. Not only was he sick and just had a wreck but he was riding a fully rigid Trek from the early 90's that is in desperate need of new tires and a set of pedals (I think I said that about monday too). But seriously the kid has some balls to do what we do on that bike and never complains he only asks for more.

I'll be hitting up the trail again tomorrow solo and then it's home for the Vee and Tee Wedding and the return of the Cove to Athens.


Willis out!

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A few days late but I started the week off with some MTB action.  I sent out an Athens wide TXT message to my riding friends (well only 3 of them) that I was looking to ride at 2:30 since I got out of class at 2.  Well I got 2 no go's and one conformation so we planned to head to Dow lake for a lap around.

Today was a great day to ride (what day isn't).  But I decided to take the Single Speed out for a Solo Ride (S.S.S.R.).  I packed up Purple Haze and headed to the other side of town to Sell's Park for some good ol' mountain biking.  

In between class homework and meetings I squeezed an hour of time to ride today.  I flipped on my 10//2 jersey and headed out for some Athens county beauty.  I really just meandered around taking roads I thought looked fun, and I ended up going exactly where I wanted to go.  There was a road I had been on before, but I had turned around.  So I had made my way out to Athens County Rt. 80.  This road was beautiful, it not only was in a great setting, but it rolled surprisingly well and had some hills mixed in for some real flavor.  Other than that it was really just another Athens County ride with hills and dogs keeping the ride interesting.  I time trialed the last 5 miles and even though I didn't sprint I did pick up the pace for the finish.

I've been nothing but busy since getting back from Highlander.  With school starting to get going and trying to find time to ride/work on the bikes I have been trying to settle down.  Highlander was an amazing trip full of excitement and well not much could have been better.  I'm glad that I was invited to go.  I learned a few things like gearing is a HUGE part of riding up hills, and that the small chainring actually has a purpose (who woulda thought).

Today began as usual wake up early and go to math class. But after that I had to go and get in the jeep and head to Columbus to head out to New York for the trip to Highlander. I arrived late with Big Tim Craig and Dobo waiting in the Green Machine and Vince Chris and Timarie waiting in the Baru. We flew out of the meijer parking lot and on our way.

We thundered on and after some hijinx we made it to New York with not many problems. The problems started on the way to dinner with Craig as the navigator we were going off of his memory which consisted of remembering a tree. But after a U-turn and some decisive manuvers we made it to Koozies a great Italian restruant that had some killer food. After eating I needed to visit the bank and that's where the fun started.

We were flying up the street looking for the Chase bank that we spotted on the other side of the road so we flip a left turn onto what looks like a road but we soon found out it was a railroad and almost ended up riding the rails. So we flip around and Tim dropped me off as the rain started to pour down. I ran up to the door and found out it was locked now soaking wet I hustled back to the van and the door handle slipped out of my hand as the Green Machine pulled away (haha). I get in and Tim says before I could say anything "they told me to do it!". So I let out the obvious "I hate you guys" and laugh with everyone. So we pull around the alley and I see an ATM that I ran out to and got the funds and ran back to the van where I busted my head on the door sill and fought off the headache. As we all giggled about my misfortune I rubbed my head as we made I back to the hotel and sitting here watching the riding videos from 2 years ago thinking of tomorrows pain to come.

Willis out!

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After missing yesterdays Wednesday worlds with the cycling club I decided that getting out of class early tonight was a sign. After stopping at Brittany's I went home to grab the Cow jersey and hit the streets. I decided to roll out my usual route past The Ridges and up my first Athens county climb of the new season. As I crossed Richland bridge I narrowly avoided a colission with some dumb blonde who decided the left turn had a right-a-way to oncoming traffic. But with that avoided I prepared for the turn when I see a fellow cyclist ahead and he made the same turn so I quickly made up the gap and introduced myself only to find out this was a kid I had run track with. Intact he was a training tri-athlele from Miamisburg (read that Goose I may begin some tri training). So we chat between the hills and I kept his pace while working up the hills in the big ring to work on some power. After riding some tar and gravel roads he was on the second half of his ride so I decided to keep riding and told him to email me to ride another time.

So luckily I was near one of the best roads in Athens county. County road 22 it's a great road that begins with a slight uphill and it never stops it goes up up up then down and back up again sometimes steep and sometimes gradual. But it goes on and on for several miles and it is a low traveled beautifully paved road with no pot holes at all. The locals are great too only the ocassional guy letting me know how good I look in my spandex. Only one dog decided to challenge me to a dual that ended with me putting him into the wall (not really just unclipped and then flew past him). I then had to decide a new way back since I planned to ride the road in reverse I kept on my route from a year ago.

This particular almost made me quit a year ago I was lost had no map and hadn't ridden the 10 miles I rode today before so it was a moment for me. I was feeling great and was enjoying the sounds of nature with the bugs creating the soundtrack to the ride I kept an awesome pace and never let the cadence drop. I rode into The Plains and up to 682 with a decision to make do I ride the bike path into town or be daring and keep the hills on with a trip down 682? Well if you know me sometimes I like some pain so 682 it was and after riding through the blip on the map I flew the hills with some fast motorpacing behind a truck who did his best to try to lose me but I made it my sprint.

I finished the night with a great dinner with Brittany at Miller's Chicken and now to prepare for Highlander.

Willis out!

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Back to school...  So far the schedule has been great only 3 classes this quarter and I'm done by 2 most days and 4 on others (minus meetings at various times).  I started off the week right keeping up with homework and doing my best to be active.  Monday Brittany and I took a ride on our mountain bikes.  She still needs some adjusting but hopefully we will get that all sorted out soon.  Tuesday I had an intense session of frisbee with the roommates which I think got me burning more calories than I really expected.  With rainy weather yesterday and my classes taking up most of the day I plan to hit the streets today on some skinny tires.  There is a club ride tonight that sounds promising an ol' run what you brung type of event so we'll see if I can squeeze it into my meeting schedule with professors wanting to meet at awkward times of the day we'll see what happens.

Saturday started like the last few Saturdays I can remember way too early. Who else do you know that sleeps in all week but gets up early on the weekend?

Well after packing and saying my goodbyes I hit the road with 100 miles ahead of me. A quick pitstop at Tim Horton's for a some fuel and I was good to go. Wish I could say that about Purple Haze. We were making good time as I merged onto 70 and just pass the 201 exit I let off the gas for a acond only to hear clunk clunk clunk so I imedately go into survival mode check the gages and lights nothing out if the ordinary and I slow east on the gas only to hear the clunking stop and a tremendous roar come from the mighty I-6. Well I knew it was the exhaust so I make a b-line for the 202 exit and pull into the shell expecing to see the muffler gouging a trench into the pavement.

After a quick inspectioni noted that the muffler had been poorly installed with a weld failing at the point where the old system (header to cat) and the newer parts (cat back) joined quickly I decided I needed to get to an auto zone for some clamps and exhaust tubing to fix this minor problem only thing is the best answer I could get from anyone was a "maybe down the road just don't quote me on that" from the shell cashier. So I ripped down the road looking for all over while trying to fill my dad in on the incident. I ended up going to Wal-Mart and picking up speaker wire and some zip ties to atleast hold the muffller away from hitting the driveshaft (the source of my clunking).

20 minutes and 15 feet of wire later I was ready to hit the road. It was still loud but bareable. Until while passing a car the pipe moved and I imedately began to sound like a straight piped diesel truck but I had to continue for I was now late and had a game to make it to.

I finally arrived and made good time with a stop in Hillard I still made it in decent time. After done quick shuffling of cars we finally set out for the Ohio State vs. Ohio U game and would make it to our seats after another adventure midway through the third quarter. It was exciting to see those Bobcats have the Buckeyes on the ropes I mean they better do good I had to give up Track for there budget increases (still a little butter about that).

The rest of the day was smooth sailing and it was a great day outside plus I got to spend it with Brittany so even though I wasn't on the bike it was a great day!

Willis out!

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To start today I began a task of planning my trip back to school. Although I needed to take the day to pack I just couldn't focus I found a few thing I needed and fumbled around until I decided to go get lunch. Shortly after lunch Vinny called and asked if I planned on riding and I assured him no matter the weather I would be at his house by 5.

After arriving at casa de Vee and Tee and hearing about Tee's flat tire and some about her rain ride we set out for the ride which I can't remember what we talked about just thinking about the ride and the rain. We arrived early around 5:30 and hung out in Purple Haze and I thought we may be doing a two man ride but like clockwork White Lightening came rolling into the lot with the Puppet Master Egg at the wheel. Then out of the west came the Big Green Machine packed full of riders. Tim, Andy, and his brother Matt were here to ride. After a few more minutes T-bolt rolled in.

As we started the ride I took it easy I still need more confidence for wet roads but slowly I started to work into the line. The ride was fast and made my legs feel like Jello but I knew it was the last ride for the Home Season and did what I could to finish hard.

After the ride we talked and I enjoyed the company of T-bolt, Egg, and Viper. Who have each made my summer one of the most enjoyable times of my life so far. As I drove home from Vinny's I couldn't think of what I was going to do Dio was on WTUE and it hit me that my summer was over and I had just finished my last ride.

Egg has been a great inspiration to me with his help as a cyclist and as a friend I have taken a new outlook on life. I could write for days about Egg but he already knows. T-bolt the retro man has inspired me to write these blogs I'll keep them up to date so my progress can be tracked with graphs and fancy color charts. I really love the classic bikes I'll come back just to see what other rides you got in the stable. Viper who I never thought I would see again after graduation has taught me many things one of which is never to say never. Much has changed this summer and I have my friends to thank now let's get ready for Highlander.

Willis out!

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Today I finally got to scratch my Mountain bike itch. Vinny and I had been planning to ride our fat tires all summer but since I didn't have my bike we put it off. Well last weekend I made a trip to Athens and brought the Cove back for some shredding. Vince couldn't make the Tuesday ride we planned we tryed for a Thursday late afternoon ride since we both had plans so at 3 o'clock I rolled up and we set out for Huffman Dam.

We arrived and unloaded our bikes Vince had the Giant and I had the Cove. (insert picture here) We rolled out and onto the first section of singletrack Creekside. It was a nice rolling trail that is mainly used as a leadout to the main trails. As anyone can tell you it hasn't rained at all here so it was a very fast ride with Vince following I could tell he was feeling antsy so I pulled off and let him go first. We thundered around the bends and flew up the hills. All along the way dodging the trees which all seem to be too close together.

The trails were all a little short and flat but we are not in Athens so what can you expect. Just as we I thought to myself man I'm going to do this whole ride and never get off tv e bike we start on our way down the most technical trail Hawk's Lair. At first I thought sure this will be real technical wonder how close they'll have the trees on this one (sarcasim). But after a few ups and downs with some rocks I started to have a more optimistic outlook. We made a few quick turns and the woods opened up to a clearing full of rocks. I was in my 34-32 and needed a lower gear but shifting into the 22 wasn't an option for mechanical reasons. The rocks were all small but would throw the backend around with every wrong move and finally after riding so flawlessly I slipped on a climb and ended up having to get out of Vinny's way. He was flying through and unfortunately hit the same hicup I did. So we traded a few words about the rocks and got rolling again.

After exiting the clearing the Lair wasn't finish with the rocks. We were making good progress but I kept slipping up on a few climbs and finally we opened to a fast rolling section. I was leading and while swooping through a turn I ducked to miss a tree and grabbed a fistful of front brake for some brainfart reason and ended up sliding my forearm down the trunk of a tree. After finishing the Lair we decided to ride the rock gardens again and this time Vince road the Cove I rode the Giant it was a bit tricky getting use to the different geometry but I love the XC feel of a bike like that had a little much air in the tires but we corrected that before the trip back to the parking lot.

On the way back my body could feel the fatigue but like Vince said "my legs were great but my body was beat". We did see a few other riders but for how full the parking lot was I thought we would have seen more. All in all it was a great ride to kick off the season the trail was fast and it was a blast to ride with Vince it is always fun to ride with someone who is not only matched with your skill but better and be able to push yourself and learn from someone else. Hopefully he will come down and show me some stuff on Lake Hope's trails. It has been an awesome summer and it wouldn't be right if I didn't ride everyday of my last week so one day to go and I can't believe what an awesome time it has been. The people have made every ounce of sweat worth it.

Willis out!

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Never thought I would start one of these things but I realized I've had one before just never knew it.  My previous site is My Addiction hopefully I'll keep up with the ride and progress reports that have to do with my training and riding.  More about myself if you don't already know, I am currently awaiting heading back down to Athens to start my 5th year of skool.  I ride both Mountain and Road bikes and will try to do my buddy Egg justice with my ride reports.  I am also heavily involved in research within my chosen field of study mainly dealing with network security and intrusion detection.  Hope this thing stays active.