Copy Cat

Munson Hills, doing her level best to run the BC black and orange!

Done

I am done. Since no one else posts here, I might as well start my own blog. Peace fish grease.

Zak's New Bike

What you talking about Zak?

Epiphany

Kent called me early this year screaming, " You ready, you ready for an Ellsworth?" I like a chump, said "Yes". There was nothing wrong with my current ride, just time for some thing different. I am a sucker for "supporting the cause". Such a sucker, I have branded myself for life with the symbol of the crew. Kent was hounding me and I ordered a large Epiphany in black with black rockers and a black bling kit. I have a little OCD(Big Jim understands, we were separated at birth), so when Kent called me and said he should have it in a month, I was less than thrilled. Good news is that I had time to unload everything I owned on eBay so I could pay for this frame.

I got it with all my parts and after two rides, I couldn't get the seatpost to stop slipping. Most would be pissed, however shit happens and it was time to eat the shit sandwich. Made in America by hand, maybe my bike was made on a Monday morning or Friday afternoon. The biggest problem was they didn't have another large black Epiphany, so the waiting game begins again.

Ellsworth came through and I got my frame, they even sent a hydration pack to ease the pain. Everything went together without at hitch. I always figured suspension is suspension, and all this mumbo jumbo about VPP, DW Link, Horst Link and Snoop D O Double G was just another way for companies to try to market their bikes. Ellsworth uses the ICT, and I got 140mm of it.

I have to say...I dig this bike. I am not saying that because I bought one, I am saying it because this is my ideal bike. It sits right between a race bike and a trail bike. The ICT suspension feels like it is endless for a 140mm(5.5in) bike. I don't race, but I could with this bike. I could take it anywhere in the US and be just fine. By the way, it is about time for another NC trip Wrecking Ball and Big Jim. We just have to keep Big Squirm from getting his period again. There is a lot of beer in Asheville we didn't drink.

Just wanted to give Ellsworth and Zone 5(Kent) my approval for what it is worth. There is something to be said for "Made in America". Feels pretty good to buy American when I can, no matter what the wait is.

Zak "Little Ball" summed it up perfect. He named my bike Oprah, because it is big, black, and worth a lot of money. See you guys soon.

Thanks Kent.

Mmmmm......Mmmmm.......

See Big Worm...cheeseburgers aint bad at all. Eat them up!!!!

Zone 5 Bike Purchase...I Think

Rumor has it that my wheels have arrived and my frame is being assembled in Oregon. I need a fork and that is in the works. Hopefully if things pan out, I will be wearing a BC/Ellsworth kit while riding an Ellsworth.

I am a little sad to see the orange Turner on the chopping block. It is a great bike, an orange bike. The parts will be surfacing up on eBay next week. I would love to keep both but can't afford it. The new bike will fly under the radar with the black and white theme. No more "hey look at me, my frame and wheels are orange!"

If the owner/proprietor of Zone 5 can manage to get all parts in Tallahasse by May 15, I may come up to build the bike and help out with the Red Bug Challenge. My visits are always on the fence because I have about a million assholes' behavior dictating when I can have off. Worse comes to worse, I will have K-Dub, K-Swiss, Red Dragon, Butcher, whatever she is calling herself these days, send me the stuff and will build it in North Cuba.

If all goes well, I will be up there with 5.5 of ICT travel and a cross bike looking for clay again. Cross your fingers, I am due for a visit.

What is wrong with Big Jim?

Nobody asked me (well some did) but Big Jim is creeping me out. With all of the chaos going on in the BC world we were relying on Big Jim to be the face of BC. He was doing a great job but lately he's been wavering. Maybe it was too many NB jokes? Or perhaps our hectic lives have him irritated? Maybe we should ride bikes more? Part of me thinks he's mad, another part thinks he's bike depressed, and yet another thinks he is wookin pa nub. MOST of me thinks he's like this picture on the left - smiling but you know he's thinking something else. The espresso is almost ready. Terry is back on the bike. I'm back on the bike. BRC is fast and new folks are hanging around the shop. RBC is on the horizon. What more could you want? It's time to come home Jim. Snap out of the funk or get snapped out of it. Dragon

Bike Chain Steps Up Again

Quick Update: Just wanted to let folks know that Bike Chain is sponsoring the first round of the Georgia State Championship Series. Go here to register and find more information about the series. We'll be running a crew to every race and hope you can join us.

Dragon

Zone 5

Wish I could be there for the first ride out of the new clubhouse. Good luck on the new venture.

Kent- Please get yourself a nice bike, you deserve it. The owner/operator of a bike shop/cafe'/clubhouse shouldn't be riding around on a do-do bike.

Does anybody post on here anymore?????

Big Worm's New Shoes

Big Worm sent me a picture of his new road shoes, all I could think about was the similarity to Cousin Eddie.

Felasco 2011

Well it started off way different than usual since some of the regulars did not show. Then, some who were still planning the trip could not go the night before. And, honestly, it really would not have been quite as fun anyway without the crew that had to bail anyway. For those that do not know: Felasco is usually a reunion of sorts for a large group of old school riding friends. We typically get dressed up (as in dressing silly - think halloween) and do a whole lot of drinking and bs'ing on Friday night.
Anyway, a few truck loads of us headed down day-of. Without too many problems, we got rolling at 8:50am. BJS and I got a one minute late start due to some Garmin difficulties. We caught up quick enough and rode with the crew for about what seems like 10 minutes before Iceberg had to stop to change a flat. Some of the slower crew crept on so we could catch up. After the 10 minute flat repair, we got rolling again. Then, after about 5 more minutes we erroneously followed the signs for the 62.5 mile option. (Read - we wanted to do the 62.5 miler instead of the 50 miler) At the fork in the trail, we went the way that said "62.5 miles this way". Well, it wasn't so simple. That section cut out about 10 miles of singletrack and traded it for about 5 miles of dirt roads. It turned out to be a shortcut with less fun riding conditions. Thats is where we all split up. BW said screw it and finished out his ride solo plus added on the extra at the end for a total of 55 miles or so. Derwood, Iceberg and myself tried to do a few extra loops before teaming up with SteveA to finish out the 50 at a moderate pace and getting in about 45 miles. Jim and Zak went all the way back to the source of the mistake and finished out the 50 for a total of 53 miles or so. I really and truly do not know how anyone elses ride went. I do know that my group waited over an hour at lunch for Jim and Zak before assuming they must have had a mechanical and were at the truck waiting for us. BW rolled in, tried to ignore us, and rolled out in quick form at lunch. We finally started setting pace for the parking lot, thinking everyone was waiting for us. Since we had Steve with us, we were backing off the throttle every once in awhile. He finally told us to cut the rope at the last sag. He wanted to be set free and said he would limp it in. We tore off and got back to nothing. No Jim. No Zak. No Chris. After an unknown long amount of time, Jim and Zak rolled in. Then after an enormous amount of time, Chris rolls in. We didn't know it, but hoss decided to go back and get all of that 62.5er. Due to our complete lack of organization, none of us knew what was going on. We (the main group) decided against 62.5 and just assumed that was the new consensus. After another 30 minutes of standing around we finally were able to go get our after ride lunch at Conestogos. Country fried steak as big as your face. It was good, the stories were good and no one would step up to the 3 pound burger challenge. All in all a few lessons were learned and I hope to remember them next year: 1. it was weird (and easier) to do Felasco while sober and not hungover 2. going fast is easier than going slow 3. 4 hours and 10 minutes of roll time should not cover a 7.5 hour span 4. Kent, Steve, Terry and Ron add a lot of laughter to the crew dynamics

Harden the F-Up, Rule #5

This is my fishing buddy, Chris. He would definitely fit in with the Bikechain crew. He is Rule #5. This guy is going to get his head cut open for a third time due to a stubborn brain tumor and cyst. Imagine being sea-sick for two years on and off, I would have killed myself by now. The reason I bring this up is because I plan on using his and Wrecking Ball's situation as perspective this year. It makes me realize I have no reason to bitch, piss and moan, cry, or complain about anything.

I will miss riding Felasco this year, I will be at the hospital with fingers crossed for my buddy getting his coconut cracked again.

Anyway, see you guys on the next trip.....Tour de Tallasco?