Broken Giant Update

Not much to report today other than the fact both Roll and Giant still do not have any answers for me on an eta for the fix on the Yukon.   Most likely, it will be a couple more weeks at the earliest before anything is fixed.  Since I have a potential weekend ride plan next weekend in Indiana, I thought it would be a good idea to shake things up a bit and see what I could get for a demo. 

Initially, I believe I was either given bad information from the shop, or they gave me the right info, and just didn't understand my circumstances.  Either way, I was told I could get a demo for a day and would have to return right away.  Not very  convenient for an out of town ride.  So I checked with Trek and they are willing to hook me up with a Trek Fuel EX9.  On top of that, they will let me have it for the weekend.  Not a bad deal, since it is a freaking sweet bike!

After talking to Trek, I went back to Roll to get my Candy pedals for the Trek, and Roll offered me a deal on a Niner for as long as I needed it at no cost.  However, it is a hard tail, so I need to think that one through a bit.  It would be nice to be able to keep up with the guys, even though I would be cheating with the 29er!

Hitting Brown and Versailles in Indiana.  These two tracks are fast!   Cant wait!

Update 1:  Giant will be fixed by Friday; not in time for weekend ride

Update 2:  Going to take the Fuel ex9 for the weekend!  Will be a sweet ride!

Oh Snap! Giant down!

It was bound to happen.  Sooner or later, something had to give.  210 pounds of Endo, or the frame on the Giant.  Today, it was the Giant and it snapped in a big way!



I started out my ride today from my garage and hit the roads a little bit to get to Alum beach!  From there, I rode the top of the dam, over to the beginner course at Alum Creek.  I did a half lap there, and jumped onto Phase 1.  I was feeling good, and riding fat and intent on turning a good time on my scheduled 17 mile ride.  About 5 miles into Phase 1, I passed a few slower riders and was really moving.  I crossed a small bridge and jammed up a quick hill and then SNAP.  Something went seriously wrong.  I dismounted, and tried to figure it out, but I just couldn't figure it out.  The derailleur was still  working and for the life of me, not a clue.  I flipped the bike over and then I saw it!  The break was pretty clear and I realized I was pretty screwed.  About 6 miles away from the house, 90 degrees and the water in my Camelback
was running low!  Even though I had the cell phone, I couldn't get a hold of Jen so I started hoofing it.  I made it out of the woods and onto the rode where a fellow mountain biker picked my up and took me closer to my house.  I still had about a mile and half walk from where he dropped me off, but it did help! 

Still not sure what and why it happened, but it was an experience.  Looks like I will be making a trip to Roll tomorrow for a warranty check up!

Blowin' in the wind!

Unbelievable day so far; I think spring is officially here!  Started the day off with a 2 hour basketball run at 8 am with no subs which means no rest for 2 hours.  After ball, and nice breakfast with my son, took a mile bike ride with my son to the park for some fun on the slides!  The ride home should have been a sign for things to come, as we rode back into some brutal winds; the boy was struggling mightily just to go on the flat sidewalk against 30 mph winds!

Grabbed a couple peanut butter sandwiches and a banana, and my buddy showed up to take our "urban/cross country " ride.  This was the first time for me on the new Giant, and Mark was trying out a new saddle and clips for the first time so we thought we would put some miles on the bikes.  The first few miles weren't too bad, as it was mostly with the wind, as we traveled through a few neighborhoods on the way over to the Alum Creek Lake.  Made it to the lake and our attempt to ride the shoreline/beach was a wash out literally.  The lake was high and we had to make a route change through some fields.  Let's just say, mud mud mud!

Made it to the dam and rode the mile and half across the top with the wind.  Wind was blowing so hard, we could almost coast with the wind pushing us.  Made it to the intermediate trails at Alum Creek MTN bike trails and made the two mile loop.  Along the way, we stopped at the skills park and did a little technical work.  At least we were able to get a crash here, new clips can be painful if you are not used to them.  Finished loop and slogging through the mud,  and then realized we were screwed. 7 miles to go and all into the 30 mph winds!  We pushed on, took an alternate route back and staggered to the finish line.

All in all, a good ride.  Although we didn't change much in elevation, the wind definitely made it tough.  I guess until it dries out a bit and we can get on the trails, we will have to continue to make due with these types of rides!  See map below of the ride!

Click this link to check out the map of the ride!