June 2009 Archives

Missed a Few Rides...

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Well, now that Sanoodi's SMap software supports Twitter, each ride will be posted there and Facebook.  Much more convenient.  I will continue to post any particularly fresh routes, good long loops, or whatever I deem worthy.

I'm currently on the search for a new 29er front tire, something with more volume than the WTB Prowler SL I'm running now.  Don't get me wrong - I love the Prowlers.  It's just a shame that they only come in 2.1 sizing.  They do have decent volume for a 2.1, though.  One thing for sure - they deal with low pressure very well.  Matched with Mavic TN-719 rims, I've found  that 18psi front and 20psi rear works well, eventhough I'm running tubes.  I've gone as low as 15psi f&r before pinch flatting the rear.  Mind you, I'm about 185 with gear, and try to ride smoothly ;oP  Unfortunately, I ride a lot to and from work, which involves a good bit of road, especially if I want to make the commute worthwhile; I live less than 3 miles away.  When paved, concrete, or other like serfaces are brought into the mix, they wear -fast-.  At about 300 miles of mixed terrain and the rear is shot, with the front about half worn.
I've since relegated to using a 700x38 hybrid tire for the rear for commuting duty and probably will continue doing so.  But I'm on the search for a front tire.  I figure I can eek out the rest of the year on the current rear tire, get a new front tire and then I'll stillhave the Prowler from the front to use out back next year.  So far the the options are the Maxxis Ardent and the Continental Mountain King 2.4.  I wish the Ardent had just a bit deeper tread...I'd also really like to try the Maxxis Ignitor but it just isn't a big enough tire.  I really wish they made the WTB Prowler SL's in a 2.3 or 2.4 size...that'd be the perfect front tire.  As it stands, they are race rubber, which mostly explains the quick wear - they use WTB's DNA compund, which conforms to the trail better due to a softer compound.

Ride to South Park

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Decided to ride to South Park and hit some trails out there and then ride back to work..  A very hilly ~25 miles, but worth it. I did stop at the house briefly on the way back to eat some bacon. Yum bacon.

test

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The Short Way to Work

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Well, shorter that 25 miles, anyway.  I think that this is going to be my normal route to work, at least the part about riding to Station Square, coming back on the Jail Trail and crossing back over Hot Metal.  If I leave an hour before work, that should leave me with time to shower before punching in, no doubt my co-workers will appreciate this as much as I.

Heading North

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Going to be heading to Stoneboro tomorrow to visit with the soon-to-be in-laws.  Looking forward to it, should be a good time and nice weather is forecast.  Going to be taking the bikes up and hitting the trails, maybe hitting Moraine State Park on the way back on Monday.  If you want to join us at Moraine for some fun in the rocks and some tech riding, let me know and we'll try to coordinate a time.

Pre-Work Ride: Frick Park

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Left my riding shoes at work by accident last night.  Decided on a whim to grab them on the way to Frick.  Got a decent, short ride in.  Was surprised how muddy it still was out there.  I swear it was less muddy back in April. 

Bavington - Continuous Loop

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Well, more or less, anyway.  Had a lot of people asking if we knew the other side of the park.  Well, we do...kinda.  One thing to be riding on it and know where to go versus telling someone.  Apparently, some people have the idea that the one whole side of the park is beginner trails or something - that simply isn't so.  While there is a beginners -loop- you can definitely make a wrong turn and up heading down some decidedly advanced stuff.
 

Recent Activity

  • Jon C. tweeted, "@psychwrites those are some good burgers donnie. I wish the show would come to pittsburgh for a taping." Jul 15, 7:51 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "is pleased that the Tour doesn't cause seg faults using bbtether." Jul 15, 9:53 AM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "@psychwrites Mr. Shalhoub?" Jul 14, 1:27 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "Ahhh...glad to have a BlackBerry Tour for backup while waiting for a replacement Storm. I can't stop trying to click the screen though!" Jul 14, 1:23 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "hates Vista, but finally has Livia's laptop back on the network. Ubuntu wasn't and issue; Vista didn't want to connect to XP either." Jul 14, 9:57 AM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "is a big fan of Little Tokyo Bistro." Jul 11, 8:33 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "just got the new BlackBerry Tour" Jul 11, 10:54 AM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "Hope the rain holds off for the folks out canoeing today." Jul 11, 9:05 AM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "got hustled and liked it." Jul 11, 2:20 AM
  • Jon C. dugg the link Only 6% of Scientists are Republicans, Says Pew Poll Jul 10, 9:38 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "New season of Eureka starts tonight, new season of Psych just around the corner. Joy!" Jul 10, 3:03 PM
  • Jon C. dugg the link Since gays & lesbians can't say "I do", Clergy say "I won't" Jul 10, 1:23 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "is darn tired and grabbin a nap" Jul 10, 10:42 AM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "North..." Jul 9, 12:39 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "can't wait for bed. Been up since 7AM or so." Jul 8, 11:39 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "@psychwrites Can't wait for the season premiere. My fiance and I will be out of town, getting married - but we plan on being tuned in!" Jul 8, 11:33 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "laundry and dishes done; now off to work..." Jul 8, 1:18 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "The new sections at Moraine rock, quite literally. What a fantastic, unforgiving ride. Mad props to the girl doing it on a trials bike." Jul 7, 7:51 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "is mountain biking in Nealeys, United States. Check it out @ http://bit.ly/sVtD7" Jul 7, 4:35 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "Don't burn the day away..." Jul 7, 7:54 AM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "floooooors" Jul 6, 10:04 AM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "Not sure what to do..." Jul 5, 3:49 PM
  • Jon C. added a new radio station named Toby Keith Radio Jul 4, 8:26 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "Happy July 4! Trying to get ready to cook some ribs and who knows what else." Jul 4, 9:23 AM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "would rather be riding." Jul 3, 4:20 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "Done with urethane for today. 1 more room to go...then another coat on top of all of it." Jul 2, 11:53 AM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "Looking forward to testing the BlackBerry Tour." Jul 1, 11:49 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "No GPS data for the ride in, the BlackBerry was being persnickety. Actually slept in today." Jul 1, 2:25 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "is looking forwards to pan-seared tuna with curried Thai noodles and vegetables." Jun 30, 4:49 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "More sanding and onto staining. I almost have real bedrooms!" Jun 30, 11:15 AM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "Task complete. Well, mostly. Edges left to do, but that can wait 'til tomorrow." Jun 29, 3:56 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "1 more grit to go." Jun 29, 2:48 PM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "omg! celebrity deaths! Thanks media, what would we do without you. What about our service men and women overseas?" Jun 29, 11:00 AM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "Floor Attack, pt 2. With any luck, this day will end with beer and sanded floors." Jun 29, 8:24 AM
  • Jon C. tweeted, "One floor had some crazy transparent glue on it...stripped it, other floors sanding started. Hopefully finishing up tomorrow." Jun 29, 1:17 AM

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