Tonal Choices

The previous post included some photos that had been processed in sepia... which was a first for me.  I've always liked the look of sepia tone, but never processed any of my pics using it.  I've always either left them color, or processed them as black and white.  I like how a photo that isn't all that interesting in color can take on a whole different feel (and become more interesting) when turned into black and white.  It's the same with sepia.

Below is one of my favorite photos from last weekend's ride at Battle Creek.  I had a tough time picking which version I wanted to use for the post...

I like all three, and they each have their own feel.  While it's likely I'll stick to using color or black and white, I might use sepia from time to time if it fits the mood of the photo.

Battle Creek - The Spring Opener

For a few different reasons, Battle Creek is often the first official metro mountain bike trail to open for the season... and this year was no exception.  While I don't ride there much, I like the Battle Creek trails.  They are probably the most naturally rugged trails in the metro.  There are abundant roots, along with steep, rutted climbs and descents.  There is the typical amount of rocks for a metro trail, and quite a bit of sand (which is one of the reasons it opens earlier that other trails).

Being that I don't ride this trail much, spring is an ideal time for me to go... the leaves aren't out yet and I can easily keep track of where I am.  I had avoided Battle Creek for quite a while because everyone always said, "Oh, Battle Creek, if you've never ridden there you won't find all the trails.  There aren't many trail signs.  You should go on a group ride or find someone to show you around."  Well, I usually ride alone.  But I'm good with a map, and going out exploring adds a bit of fun to it all.

I've explored all the trails on the map (and some that aren't), and here's my current preferred route (the black line).  Red lines are singletrack, blue lines are ski trails, and green lines are park boundaries.

I was lucky enough to get out for a ride last weekend, which is especially nice since the forecast for this week includes a lot of rainy days.  This was the first real mountain bike ride for the Fat Front Fargo.  It was great to finally ride this bike on an actual singletrack trail, and it didn't disappoint.

The Larry/Large Marge wheel and the Waltworks fork performed without a hitch.  The bike handled predictably and I had plenty of traction at both wheels.  And the front end (in particular the fat tire) made for a nice, comfortable ride.  Obviously it wasn't as plush as having a suspension fork, but it is hard to say that it rides like a "normal" rigid mountain bike.

It was also my first real off-road ride since before I broke my hand last fall.   My hand never hurt during ride, but was a bit sore later that night.  While the fat front adds some cush to the ride, it's understandable my hand is sore afterward.  Now I just need to get in better shape... a lot of the climbs were burning the lungs and legs.

The day was beautiful with temps in the 60s, blue skies, and a light breeze.  The trails were in great shape too... the dirt was tacky, but never wet.  And the big front tire had no problem tracking through the Battle Creek sand.

The trails were almost empty while I was there, which was good since they aren't directional.  I try to avoid the typically busy times for that very reason... some of those downhills are just too much fun and dealing with oncoming traffic can be a pain in the butt (and dangerous).  This is probably one of the reasons I don't choose to ride Battle Creek as much as the other trails.

Uncrowded trails are also more conducive to stopping to take pictures.  Here are a couple of my favorites from the ride (as you can see, I've been playing around with sepia tone):

It was a truly fantastic first day of the season on the trails... thanks to all the people that work on the Battle Creek trails and keep them open to mountain bikers!  It's a great trail system, and I look forward to returning again later this summer.

The Enigmatic Beater Bike

Last fall I gave my KHS Solo-One 29er frame a rattlecan paintjob; it was the first step in turning it into a "beater" errand bike.  Nearly all the parts on the bike are from my parts bin, inexpensive, or purchased used.  And that's what a beater bike is to me... something that I wouldn't worry about locking up while I'm at a bar or running errands.  It's not flashy and doesn't have a lot of brand names plastered all over it.  It's a bike that I don't worry about riding in the crappy conditions we regularly get in Mpls during the winter and spring.  It's simple.  Reliable.

A beater bike is something I shouldn't care much about.  And that's the thing, I've started to really like this bike...

With the weather being the way it's been, this bike has seen the most miles so far this year.  Granted I'm not typically going for all day rides on the thing, but it is fairly comfortable and fun to ride.  I've added lights, a horn, fenders, a stem pack, and a saddle trunk.  All these things make it more utilitarian, but at the same time make it more of a pain to lock up.

I get asked about the horn a lot.  It's a Delta Airzound horn... 115 decibels of total obnoxiousness.  Damn, is it loud!  I use it maybe once or twice a year, but when the occasion presents itself where you want to get the attention of someone (even if they are inside their car or running with headphones), it'll do the trick.

I've had the On-One Midge bars for a couple years but could never get a comfortable fit with them on other bikes.  The long steerer of the Kona fork and a high-rise stem made the bars work.  The short drop of the bars allow the brake levers to work with the mtb disc calipers.  It all just works.  

Last week I picked up a used disc caliper, so it now has front and rear discs.  I also switched out the Kenda Nevegal tires for some 35mm Ritchey Speedmax cross tires.  Both changes were cheap/free, but those are the types of changes that make this bike more and more fun.  Which makes me like this bike more and more.  Which then turns it into less and less of a true beater bike.  Oh well.

I'm perpetually working on bike projects, so it's hard for me to abstain from tinkering with this bike.  Especially since I've been riding it a lot.  One last thing I want to change is the seatpost clamp.  I'd like the added security of a bolt-on seatpost clamp... and I think I might just have one in the parts bin.

The Thing That Wouldn't Leave...

The winter of 2010-2011 just doesn't want to quit.  Here are a couple pics I took this morning... pretty impressive for April 20th.

The snow all melted by mid-afternoon, and it turned into a typical, cool spring day.  By the evening, the sky was full of patchy clouds and sunshine...

It was quite a day weather-wise, and I really enjoyed it.  Some people just want summer to be here, and while I'm not completely disagreeing with them, I love the variety of spring weather in Minnesota.  Even if it means we get snow in the second half of April.

A Tale of Two Fargos

I own two Salsa Fargos, both of which were bought as framesets and built up as two completely different bikes.  I was lucky enough to get both frames at a discount... the first Fargo arrived with a messed up paint job and instead of shipping it back, I was able to buy the frame at a reduced price.  More recently I picked up the second frame when QBP put the remaining stock of the original frames on clearance prior to the arrival of the newly designed version of the Fargo.  I knew I liked the "old" geometry and the price was too good to pass up, especially since I was looking to build a new bike for riding the local singletrack.

As I've said before, the reason the Fargo is such an appealing frame to me is the fact that it has a tall front end.  I prefer the riding position that I get when the saddle and handlebars are at, or near, the same height.  My saddle height is about 34-34.5 inches (from center of BB to top of saddle) and at that length, ordinary set-ups simply can't get the handlebars high enough.  The options are a high-rise stem and riser bars, or get a frame with a tall head tube and long steerer... like the Fargo.

The Fargo is designed for use with off-road drop bars... therefore it has a taller front end so the rider can comfortably use the drops as the primary hand position.  I take advantage of the tall front end, and simply run it with a flat handlebar.  The downside of using a frame designed for drop bars is that the top tube is shorter than a traditional mountain bike frame.  I get around this by using a relatively long stem and a seatpost with a fair amount of offset.  There are almost always compromises made when fitting a mass-produced bike to someone my size, and I'm completely satisfied with the adjustments I've made.  Plus, I don't mind a slightly more upright riding position.

I do almost all my own wrenching, and with the exception of facing/chasing the HT and BB (and in the case of the Fargos, pressing a headset), I have no problem assembling a bike from parts.  Wrenching on bikes is definitely a favorite past time.  I assembled both bikes on a budget with mostly middle-of-the-road parts... nothing fancy.  Although the custom Waltworks fork on the Fat Fargo is an obvious exception.  While the parts on either bike don't have much of a bling factor, these bikes are definitely not conventional.

Thing 1 - built for all-day rides on pavement, gravel and packed dirt:

Highlights include 3x9 drivetrain, Schwalbe Big Apple 700x50 tires, Titec J-Bars, 4 bottle cages, and a Thudbuster ST seatpost.  It's built for comfort, but still rolls well.

Thing 2 - built for riding the local singletrack mtb trails:

Highlights include 1x9 drivetrain, On-One Fleegle bars, Thudbuster LT seatpost, and a Waltworks fork with Large Marge front wheel and Larry tire.  Fully rigid mountain bike, with the added cushion and traction of the fat front wheel.

Neither bike is anything close to a typical Salsa Fargo build, but that just goes to show the versatility of the Fargo frame.  Both bikes fit great and should see many, many hours of ride time this summer.

First Dirt Ride 2011

Well... it wasn't much of a dirt ride, but it was a lot of fun.  The nice thing about the short sections of trail along the creek is that if one section is too wet to ride, another section might be perfectly dry.  It's likely that most of the official singletrack trails nearby are partially dried, but because of low areas and north facing slopes the entire trail isn't rideable (so it can't be opened yet).  It's times like these that it's nice to have the creek trails...

The trail sections are short, but they have enough challenge and fun to make them a worthwhile ride.

It was the first dirt ride for the Fat Front Fargo, and the bike felt really good.  The combination of the fat front tire and the 29er rear wheel easily rolled over the abundance of roots on this trail section.  Just the right amount of shock absorption and more than enough traction.  I can't wait to get this bike out to Murphy or Theo.

And we're finally getting warm weather.  After many months of snow and cold, I'm actually inspired to post color photos again...

Jandd Stem Bag

Last week I had Hiawatha Cyclery order me one of these small, zippered stem bags from Jandd:

Recently I had been looking for a small pack for the front of my bike (to hold items I'd normally carry in my pockets).  After finding this little guy in the QBP catalog, I figured it would fit the bill.  It's a bit snug, but it fits my wallet, cellphone and keys perfectly.

I have the tendency to worry about losing or forgetting things while out on a ride.  With this pack my personal items are right there in front of me... there's no worrying if my wallet will fall out of an open saddlebag, or if the rear pocket on my vest is zipped up, or if my keys will bounce out of my pants pockets.  Even while riding, all my important stuff is always in sight.

Overall I like the little bag - it seems solidly built and attaches to the bike easily.  The only issue I have is with the strap on the front of the pack.  I think it should be a bit higher.  There is some minor movement of the pack while riding... not enough to cause a problem, but having a strap further up would make it more stable.  The low position of the front strap also prevents the front of the pack from sitting flush against the top tube (due to the headset).   With that said, I think it was a good purchase and does exactly what I wanted it to do.

Defrosting

Below is a graph showing the soil temperatures (at various depths) for the last 5 days.  Click here for more.

As you can see the soil temps have become much more active as the frost leaves and the soil warms.  Granted these are the soil temps for a sod covered bit of Earth on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, but it's usually a good indicator of what is happening around the metro area.  For the last few years when the soil temps start to look like this I would expect some of the local trails to be close to opening.

I'm not sure about this year though.  Given the amount of snow cover we had this winter it might take a bit longer... a lot of the north facing, wooded slopes still have snow on them.  Then again, maybe the early, thick snow cover helped insulate the soil and prevented the frost from getting too deep.  Doubt anyone really knows...

The current forecast is calling for some significant rain later this weekend, which could be a very good thing.  Hopefully there is enough warm rain to eat the remaining snow hiding in the woods.  That followed by some dry weather could mean riding dirt later next week.  My fingers are crossed.

Side Note:
Since I hate to post anything without at least one photo, here is a pic of the modified rear fender:

The front and rear extensions do a good job of providing (nearly) full fender coverage.  I could still shorten the rear extension a bit, but overall I'm pleased with how it turned out.
 

Floods

It finally felt like spring today... it hit 54 degrees, the sun was warm, and the winds were light.  I went for a ride around the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers, and boy are they running high.

Here's a pic of the entrance to one of my favorite trails - the Minnesota River State Trail.

The trail runs along the floodplain on the other side of the tunnel.  It'll be a while until I can ride this trail again, but it should make for a fun adventure once the water recedes.  The Poor Man's Pug has its Hookworms mounted and ready to hit the sand.

I also added some extensions to the seatpost mounted fender on my poor weather/errand bike (somewhat visible in the pic above).  Still need to make a couple changes, but I'll post some pics of the final product soon.