Back in Action - We Ride Again

Even though the ol' blog has been under radio silence for the last few months, there's been a bit of good ol' bicycle activity percolating in the background.  My favorite riding pal - that be my 15 year old son Ian - mentioned some interest in riding again.  This after a year or so of barely riding at all, following many years of riding and racing.  Cool, no pressure - let's get you set up equipment wise once again.

I should mention he's had a crazy growth spurt over the last two years and now stands around 6' 2" tall.  That meant new everything - bike, shoes, shorts - the whole enchilada.  My previous trick of moving parts over to ever larger frames ain't gonna cut it.  Time for something new. To give you some perspective on the recent growth curve, he was racing a 52 cm 'cross bike in 2012.  Welcome to Crazy Town, I'll be your Tour Guide.

On top of the garage full of old Bikes 'N' Parts being too small, he wanted to try full suspension after only experiencing hardtails and 'cross bikes.  Fair enough. The search began with much bike shop cruising and test riding.  Kudos to many Seattle area shops we visited and talked with over the phone, all of 'em super friendly and customer service oriented.  I wanted to buy a bike from a few different shops, just because they treated us right.  Bike shop folks are cool folks, but you already knew that.

Mixed in with this was the 27.5 verses 29er debate.  After numerous test rides, Ian not fully digging the 29er wheels.  No problem, 27.5 it will be. 26" wheeled higher end mountain bikes now on the endangered species list.  And of course, the Trump family we're not, so budget constraints eliminating carbon frames and XTR dreams.

Long story short, Element Cycles scored us a killer deal on a Santa Cruz Bronson.  XL frame to now match his XL frame.  Aluminum model, mix of Shimano Deore and SLX to keep the cost down.  Nice Fox suspension still included.  Six inches of travel front and rear, VPP design for pedaling efficiency.  Cool bike and it rides fantastic.  Ian is psyched and digging it.  He's not the materialistic kid at all, so fun to watch him enjoying this.

Since we picked up the bike a few weeks ago, been hitting our local riding spots.  Saint Edward/Big Finn Hill and Paradise Valley a few times. Besides the occasional noodling around on my 'cross bike, also been a good excuse for me to ride more often.

Video above from recent after work ride, Ian demonstrating some new trail features in our local woods.  Photo below from the same ride.  Some quality Father 'N' Son time via two wheels.

I think we're now officially back in action, will hopefully crank up the blog reports along with it.  Thanks for reading...

Time Measured in Shoes

Being the dad of a fast growing 13 year old Rider 'N' Racer, we've been through a few pairs of clipless shoes - as displayed above - in chronological order.  Not exactly a cheap proposition.  Spin the wheel and take your chances, on how long each pair will last.  Sometimes his feet seem to grow overnight, if not sooner.

Each pair tell a story and reflect the era used, especially for the short time span spent spinning in circles.  From left to right, the evolution of a cyclist and growing young man...

Specialized, euro size 40, purchased from my pals at Bicycles West.  Closeout deal from the Seattle Bike Expo back in 2011.  Agree or not, going clipless is a sign of becoming a serious cyclist, Ian moving away from sneakers and platform pedals.  Like most kids being a sponge at learning new things, appeared to master 'em in a matter of minutes.  Pretty cool for 11 years old.  More amazing, about a year worth of use outta 'em.  Plenty of fun rides and races via SPD connection to the pedals.

Northwave Sparta, euro size 41.5, team deal bargain from 2012.  Shoes worked well, though after a few months of use, not enough room for growing feet.  Various rides and races - mountain bike and cyclocross - powered through the Northwave soles.

Northwave Striker, euro size 42, team deal again - bought both pair of Northwave shoes at the same time.  Smart move. "Dad, my shoes don't fit", and quickly pull out the stored pair.  These in bad ass, look at me I'm pro, white.  Unfortunately, only worn a few times due to a riding slump and yet even bigger feet.  Maybe two fun rides and one 'cross race.

Pearl Izumi, euro size 46, from local REI.  After discovering the latest pair of Northwave shoes not longer fit the bill, uh, feet - a scramble to find something before the first student league mountain bike practice.  Now worn a whopping two times, while riding today, Ian mentioned they're already feeling a little tight.

It never ends...

MFG Cyclocross Series # 4 - Mangnuson Park

Cyclocross season keeps on rolling, along with my never ending supply of pics and rambling words.  Photography is like racing - some days you have it, some days you don't.  I'm just a hack, but must be doing something right, since I usually arrive home with a decent Pile-O-Pics after most races.  In any case, I'm having fun and that's what it's all about.

This week's Pics 'N' Words from MFG series # 4, that took place last weekend.  Venue was Mangnuson Park in Seattle, nice spot for a 'cross race.  Very flat and fast course, some pavement included.  Barriers and one run up section.  Usual cool 'cross scene that we're lucky to experience in the Seattle area.

See for yourself...

Teammate Lars trades dirt for concrete.  Super nice dude, along with his teenage racer son, Anders.  Anders assisted my own teenage racer son Ian, warm up for this race.  Anders appears to have the series already won for his Grade 10 - 12 junior class.  Cool.

Kari Studley, woman's single speed 'cross national champion, can also go pretty damn fast with multiple speeds.

Concrete underpass allows for some fun camera angles and blur shots.

Dreaming of life beyond training wheels.

Past the secret door.

Monster Cross bike flattens everything in path.

Birds eye view of the action.

Girls racers rock.

Snippet-O-Cross

Racer Boy Ian chases teammate Matt into the concrete abyss.

Scenic cruise on the shores of Lake Washington.  Ian demonstrates.

Run Ian run.  Check out the new white Northwave shoes.  Pro, eh?  Considering this was a flat, fast, and not very technical course - not really his style - did pretty well.  Scored 9th out of 18 kids in the Junior Boys Grades 6 - 7 class.  His currently sitting in 7th place overall for the series.  Great job!

Follow the leader.

High speed leaf crunching.

Insanely nice fall day.

Various barrier action.

Back of the course featured a run up, courtesy of wooden stairs.

"Do my cleats look worn?"...

Grimace into the corner.

Go JL Velo.

Old school cool.

Lined up for torture.

It's late and my mental caption machine is operating in sleep mode.  Time to wrap this up and hit the sack.  A few races left in the season, more to follow.  Adios...

Seattle Cyclocross Series # 3 - Silver Lake, Washington

Yes kids, time for another round of 'cross Pics 'N' Words, courtesy of me at no additional charge.  Call now, operators are standing by.  As seen on TV.  Money back guarantee.

This alleged report emanating from the shores of Silver Lake, Washington.  That be in Everett for all non Pacific Northwest types.  Stop number three for the Seattle Cyclocross series, held last weekend.  The Seattle and MFG series are well attended, now pulling in around 1000 racers per event.  Crazy town, huh?

This race also signaled the end of our Warm 'N' Sunny weather.  Overcast, cloudy and cool.  Rain the night before, wetting things down a bit. Leaves changing color and cooler temps make it feel like fall.  

And fall means cyclocross...

Juniors hit the sand, teammate Henry staring down his line.  My number # 1 son, Racer Boy Ian, seen on the right.  Go JL Velo, go.  Start area pavement dumping quickly into fairly deep sand.

Cheering makes you go faster.  Scientific fact.

Running through deep sand adds to the festivities.  Sam demonstrates.

Ian lines up for the barriers.

Looking good.

Go Ian go!  He was looking forward to this event, this venue more to his mountain bike style - tight turns and short punchy hills - almost singletrack like.  He was riding well and looking good, then it all sorta went pear shaped...

Barriers, sand, then short run up.  Nobody said 'cross was easy.  Sam stares me down in agreement.

Junior teammate Henry blurs the course with speed.

Scott and Jarrett - two very fast 13 year olds - in battle.

Kids racers rock.  They really do.  Pretty cool junior scene we have in the Seattle area.

Run Ian run!  Flat tire causing him to run almost the entire last lap.  Ouch.  After crossing the line, plopped on the ground to recover - soaked with sweat - slightly light headed.  Suburb effort, though he was seriously bummed.  First flat or mechanical issue in a few years of mountain and 'cross racing.  Bound to happen eventually.

We have no spare wheels or bike in the pit area, would have come in handy today.  Ian did run into the pit, directed by spectators - but after some confusion over his 9 speed cassette - he just ran out of the pit to finish.  I'm not even sure if this series offers neutral support.  I need to check on that.

In any case, I'm very proud of him.  Would have been easy to quit, instead toughed it out and ran to the finish, placing 14th out of 18 kids in the Junior Boys 13 - 14 class.  Excellent job.

Fallen pine needles, overcast sky, arm and knee warmers.  Smells like 'cross season.

It's the final countdown.  Fast women get ready to roll.

Joey spreads the love.  Joey is a bit famous from this little spectacle last year.

Round 'N' Round we go.

Carve an arc.  Monster Cross bike leading the way.

Single speed Action-O-Plenty.

Barriers 'R' Fun.

Full speed dive into the sand.

Dude, we told you that number was bad luck.

Man, these helium filled bikes kick ass.  Theo charges the barriers.

Evan tilts the horizon on his way to a very respectable finish in his first CAT3 race.  Pretty cool for a high school kid, no?

Harrison deep in thought - or maybe pain.  Another fast high school kid.

Doc who fixed my daughter's broken arm last year.  Any doc who races 'cross is okay in my book.

And there you have it - another post to help fill up the Internet.  More 'cross reports and other nonsense to follow.  Thanks for reading and checking out the pics.  Until next time...