6 or 1 Half Doz. & Good Luck With Bad Luck

6 or 1 Half Dozen

Back on the bike tonight. I was longing to get back on dirt, but we got pounded pretty good with rain last evening and night, so instead of potentially dealing with a gunked up race week drive train and soil erosion, I opted for the Campeon and the road.

My goal tonight was to try to push myself, power through more climbs and try to get in what would be my hardest effort until Saturday and The Monkey. I'd like to say I had some coach ordered, scientifically proven "training" ride in mind. That I was studying power, wattage, heart rates, etc., But basically I was just trying to finish the 30.5 mile loop as fast as possible and get home and see if I could relieve Wifey of some of her B-Man Mama duties. She's a mess with pink eye, cough, sore throat, laryngitis, and God knows what else. I felt bad even going for the ride, but she was insistent that I go. Ah, OK. That rocks.

As it turns out, although sick as a three legged dog, she still had everything under control. Good thing, 'cause it seems that not matter how fast or how slow I go, my 30.5 mile loop takes the SAME amount of time. I think I end up blowing up after powering up the first few climbs and the first half of the ride. Then I'm left to go into "damage control" for the rest of it. Other times I start slow and then kick it in the last half. So I made it home no earlier or later than usual. Oh well, the legs felt pretty good and it was a beautiful night to be out on the bike.

The only downside was of course having to deal with many of the goofs on the road. When there is an oncoming car, why does the car behind ALWAYS feel the need to see how fast they can get around you. They would rather risk a head-on collision or killing a cyclist rather than wait 2 or 3 seconds??? So to Mr. Beat Up Blue SUV that nearly ran me off the road tonight/ran over me. I may not have given you the finger, but inside I was doing the double bird flip with a twist of the International Cyclist To Motorist "What The F*ck" Hand Motions. Too hard to explain what the I.C.T.M.W.T.F.H.M. looks like, but I'm sure If you have EVER done any road riding you have surely done it.

Good Luck With The Bad Luck And Some Deja Vu

When I was prepping my bike for Big Bear a few weeks ago I noticed what looked to be a small scratch on the rear of my seat tube near but not on the Relish shock weld. I feared that it was a small hairline crack. I assumed that this was just a case of race week worries and forgot about it. Then at Big Bear as I lubed my chain in the morning I once again looked up to notice said issue. I forced myself to put it out of my mind. I figured once I got the race over with I'd look into it and see if it was a potential issue. But then it was time for Salsa's coming product launch. I knew they were busy as frig and had a LOT on their minds, so I held off a bit.

Well yesterday I finally got around to being in touch with them. Unfortunately they confirmed that from what they could tell, it did look to be a potential issue that should be taken care of. In other words my frame will need to be replaced in the future. I just rode it Saturday with no problems and It currently poses no safety issue. I can race it Saturday if I want, but I may opt to use the Mamasita as my main rig (poor me), so I can just stay 100% focused on the race.

I'm not gonna go into it too much more right now. I will next week. I have a race to think about and do not need any bad mental mojo floating around. I will say it's NOT a design flaw with the frame, nor is it an abuse or a JRA issue. Once in a while shit just happens. Unfortunately "shit just happened" to me (again).

The Dos Niner is an INCREDIBLE frame and this is not an issue with the bike. If you're looking into a Dos Niner frame, fear not! You will LOVE the frame and can rest easy know Salsa's got your back. Once in a while defects happen. (I believe that's what the doctor told my late mother when I was born, ha!) I will say that Salsa is taking care of it. Not because they are a sponsor, but because they flat out rock and have what could be the BEST customer service in the cycling world. I'm damn lucky to be associated with them. And yes, if you are familiar with this blog you would be right in thinking that I had an issue (a VERY different one) with my 2006 Dos Niner 3 days before the 2007 Cranky Monkey. It's like freaking Groundhog Day.

Next week once I have more info and such, I will share more and answer any questions or comments about the frame issue. Right now I just don't want to think about it. Thanks for understanding.

I'll leave you with this pic a certain Pepper Head at Salsa sent me today. He knew I was bummed about the frame and also knew that this image would cheer me up. It did. Thanks!

A sweet bike, and a ton of beer all crammed in what
looks like Honda Element (how I miss thee). I love it!

Later.