Black Friday Leb Ride ??

[bigwheel]

I'm stuck in town an extra half-day, and plan to work off some thanksgiving dinner.

Anyone want to ride Leb Friday morning, maybe around 10 am ???

If so, please post.

[RedSquirrel]

Yes, my 10 yr and I. Post again in am. I think we are there in am some time, regardless. FAT!

[bigwheel]

When I woke up, I thought a ride would be nice this morning.

However, I see that it is snowing, and there is already some on the ground. So, I think I'm going to bail on the ride, and work on the studded tires instead, in case we get something significant.

If you decide to go anyway, have a good ride.

[gopherhockey]

I've got company today that I really shouldn't walk out on. But Sat. afternoon/night or anytime Sunday would be good... maybe studs riding at Leb?

[tedsti]

I just got done elbowing old ladies out of my way at sears. Had to put a little teenie bopper in a headlock to fight the last tool set out of her hands.

I am up for a ride today. Shouldn't need studs yet. That's not to say they wouldn't help.

[RedSquirrel]

We are running late but on the way. With roads it will take a while to get there. Studs on back for Dunc and I. No studs on tag along. What is wrong with me?

[bigwheel]

We made the decision to stay in town all weekend.

So, I might be interested in an afternoon ride, along with whatever someone plans for tomorrow.

[tedsti]

If you only have one studded tire, I would put it on the front. Loosing the front end is usually much more painful than loosing the back end. I will let others add their perverse comments now.

We are running late but on the way. With roads it will take a while to get there. Studs on back for Dunc and I. No studs on tag along. What is wrong with me?

[gopherhockey]

If anything happens give some notice. I can *maybe* figure out a way to duck out. Tomorrow for sure. Sunday for sure for sure.

[tedsti]

You should at least mount up the Nokians. Tell Liz that you want to show off your great tire changing abilities to your company.:jumpy:

If anything happens give some notice. I can *maybe* figure out a way to duck out. Tomorrow for sure. Sunday for sure for sure.

[gopherhockey]

I've got the Nokians mounted up on my old Super-V with my Time Z pedals... I'm ready for the snow now! (bikes also about 10-15 lbs. heavier than I'm used too..)

Nobody would believe it only took me about 15 minutes to get em' mounted... I should have video taped it. (sans :banana: )


You should at least mount up the Nokians. Tell Liz that you want to show off your great tire changing abilities to your company.:jumpy:

[tedsti]

I am thinking of heading out at 2. I figure the snow will clean out the tires on the FS, so I can put it in the basement for the winter.

[gopherhockey]

I can maybe make that... it will be up to the last minute I think.


Bob? Anyone else?

[bigwheel]

2:00 sounds good

I'll be there, although I might not have studded tires yet.

Warning: Thread Hijack...
This morning, I finally got the new PIC light controller logic working!!! Way cool!
794 lines of PIC assembly language, all written from scratch. (plus a lot of time to learn how to program the sucker)

Currently there are 4 modes:
High - 20% overvolted (equivalent to 14.4 volts)
Low - 10% undervolted (equivalent to 11 volts)
Park - parking lights, equivalent to 4 volts
Off - currently uses 1 milliamp (until I figure out the sleep logic)

I put the sucker on a bench power supply and dialed around voltages, and the bulb holds almost perfectly even in output brightness.

The down side is that I accidently popped a $10.00 Masterline bulb while debugging. After that, I wised up and used a $3.00 cheapo for testing.

[RedSquirrel]

We went to theo instead. Glad as roads are slow going & Leb is farther away.

The 10 year old held his own with lots of resting. Little bro was fine on the tag along until he got cold. Saw one single speed rider.

The home made studs on rears worked out. Gave us the edge we needed for climbing. Fronts never gave way as we were riding slow. The snow was 3 inches and creaky. No ice. Absolutley beautious out there. Goggles worked well.

I can see I'll need another studded set for junior and to will add many longer screws. I'm going to shoot for 1/4 sticking out instead of the 1/8 I have now.
Have fun. It's a beauty.

[gopherhockey]

Ok, I'll be there at 2... C ya

[bigwheel]

Another good ride. Funny that the only person who cleared every rock garden every time was the guy with none of his tires studded.

For those of you that missed it, we'll probably ride again tomorrow if it stays below freezing.

[Homebrew]

Hey Bob,

I was wondering who I saw out there. I got in between two groups of riders, I was the guy that forgot to bring my bike. It made my run easy watching your tracks for the slick spots.

What time are you guys planning for tommorrow?

[gopherhockey]

I was wondering who was out there running on our bike trails... that was before our group.

[stoneage]

put it on the front
without a doubt

[bigwheel]

Hey Mick,

You missed a good ride. Looks like we will have another opportunity today.

We haven't picked a time yet, but maybe around 1:00 sounds good to me. (any time is good for me today) I think Ted and John have chores to do in the morning. Some else can pick the "official" time.

The Kenda Klaws took up a lot less space than the Exiwolf 2.3s, so there was plenty room for studs under my break cable. So, I'm going to try out the studded singlespeed today, although it is geared higher than I'd like. It was a tough decision. Studs will be good. Singlespeed will be bad. Saving the Gary Fisher will be good. Hardtail will be bad.

Bob



Hey Bob,

I was wondering who I saw out there. I got in between two groups of riders, I was the guy that forgot to bring my bike. It made my run easy watching your tracks for the slick spots.

What time are you guys planning for tommorrow?

[Homebrew]

I'm thinking 1:30ish or later would work for me.

[timmy]

Hey Bob,

I think I will join you guy's.

I finished putting the winter bike together last night so I need to test it out.This is the first bike that I tuned up with no help so hopefully it will shift ok.

Will it be ok without studs?

Greg

[bigwheel]

Hey Greg,

Ted rode it yesterday without studs, and had no problem staying ahead of me. However, looking at his line, I think he got in a couple more miles than the rest of us. I only had front studs, and that worked well.

Today, I plan to ride the single speed, which now has homebrew studs front and back. This is only my second try at Leb on the karate monkey. The first try ended in an ugly crash, with a broken helmet and a neck that was sore for several weeks. Hopefully the front shocks will help prevent that from happening again.

Let's plan for 1:30 (Mick's preference). John and Ted, you OK with this?

See you there.

Bob S.




Hey Bob,

I think I will join you guy's.

I finished putting the winter bike together last night so I need to test it out.This is the first bike that I tuned up with no help so hopefully it will shift ok.

Will it be ok without studs?

Greg

[Homebrew]

I'll be there at 1:30, see you then.

[tedsti]

I should be able to make it. Hopefully the ground doesn't soften up with this sun. Now my choices are MEGA tire and studs for the front, reasonable tire with studs for the front and studs or no studs for the rear.

I studded up the front Timberwolf last night. 280 screws. I used the 1/2" for all except the center row. The 1/2" screws are sticking out quite a bit on some of the knobs. I may need a little more snow cover to break them out. Those big ban heads from Menards worked well, I just wish they had 3/8". I am heading out now to pick up another box to do the rear.

[gopherhockey]

I should be able to be there as well. This time I'll remember the battery for my camera. Gotta get some good winter pics!

[bigwheel]

Those big ban heads from Menards worked well, I just wish they had 3/8". I am heading out now to pick up another box to do the rear.

Ted, I have an angle grinder that will quickly turn them into 3/8 inch.

I wised up when doing the back wheel today. Rather than grinding them one at a time, I put the wheel on my bike and let the wheel spin really fast while grinding them all at once. This did a good even job, and sent cool looking sparks all over the place.

Now, all I need is a lower gear. I did the arithmetic, and mine is equivalent to a 32/18 26er. IMO, this is too much for a big fat boy riding in the snow at Leb.


Helpful hint of the day: Do not try to roll your bike across the carpet when you have homemade studded tires.

[funky-funky-chicken]

Helpful hint of the day: Do not try to roll your bike across the carpet when you have homemade studded tires.

Nor should you roll your carbide-tipped Nokian Extremes across the slate tiled floor!

Sorry I won't be able to join you at LH. I was out early this morning making the first tracks at Salem/Harmon. It was chilly, but quite nice.

[bigwheel]

Yet another decent ride. (or first half for Greg and me)

Note to self: Duct Tape does not work as a liner for homebrew studded tires.


To everyone who missed this ride (including Jeff G): If this great weather holds up, we'll do yet another ride on Sunday.

[tedsti]

Here is where they are cheap.
http://www.blueskycycling.com/product1065_52_-WTB-Timberwolf-Race-Kevlar-Tire.htm

Here is some size information
http://www.wtb.com/products/tires_Timberwolf.html

[drmrboyalex]

I wised up when doing the back wheel today. Rather than grinding them one at a time, I put the wheel on my bike and let the wheel spin really fast while grinding them all at once. This did a good even job, and sent cool looking sparks all over the place.

thats a really good idea....i may have to do that when (or at this rate, if) i make mine

[bigwheel]

Looks like we got some rain last night, and more coming today. The temperature is above freezing, so the trail is going to be sloppy and we could do a lot of damage to it if we ride today.

[tedsti]

The four ride Thanksgiving weekend was just too much to ask for......