Rode my Smitty at the Tour of ‘Tosa as part of Team Joyride.
The first task was to locate several playing cards attached to various features in and around Hansen Park and Underwood Parkway. That went pretty well and we were on to task two which was a scavenger hunt/landmark hunt around Wauwatosa.
We did just well enough, finishing 6th, to miss out on the Tri-oval of Doom race that finished off the day and settled the top spots. Here is a video of that 50-lap race of carnage on salvaged bikes!
I took a longer than expected fall ride on Tuesday. After I voted, went to the post office and the FedEx Store I started to meander west on the Oak Leaf Trail and by the time it was done I’d ridden through the heart of the city, down 92nd St onto the EW Connector, to the Hank Aaron and through Downtown before heading back north on the city streets and the Oak Leaf. It was a nice ride and i saw some areas of town I hand’t seen in years if ever.
I rode my Smitty Monstercross and found the 30-mile ride very comfortable. I mostly rode on the streets and paved trails but I did take about a 1-mile MTB trail ride in Hoyt Park and hit some gravel too. The Smitty worked perfectly!
You can check out the Garmin 500 track here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/55338259
The Metro MTB Fall Social Ride took place on Saturday, October 23rd on the South Side of Milwaukee.
A dozen riders met at the South Shore Parking lot and were initially greeted by a dreary, rainy morning, however, Marty had some cans of alcohol infused whipped cream to get things started and keep our minds on the task at hand. Interesting. I had no idea that this stuff even existed! Vanilla and Chocolate were the flavors of the day
We headed south along the shore of Lake Michigan and while we were at our first stop at Sheridan’s on South Lake Dr. the rain subsided and by the time we left that establishment about 11:30 the rain was done! Sampled a Racer 5 beer there!
Next stop was Slick Willies in South Milwaukee. This was our lunch stop and the Slick Willie was the burger of choice for many. Burger, 2 kinds of cheese, grilled onions and grilled mushrooms. It was delicious! for some reason I chose Buch beer here. Probably because it is more like water and the ride had a bunch more to go!
Gravel trails, railroad beds and powerline trails were much of what led us to our next stop at City Lounge in Cudahy. There was a pretty cool bunch of small jumps in the area that the old Ice Center was built on. Just southwest of the City Lounge.
Some kind of Dachshund convention was going on at the City Lounge so it only seemed proper to sample Dachshund’s Ankle Biter Ale. A good brew! BTW, there were about 20 of the squat, little dogs at the Lounge. Apparently a club of owners gets together a few times a year there as the owner is a Dachshund fan himself and makes the place available to the club.
We popped through the St. Francis Brewery after a bit of railroad track and track bed riding where several beers made on site were available. I gave the Nut Brown a try and liked it enough for a second.
An impromptu stop at Gordie’s had us drinking the obligatory PBR.
My final stop was at Sara’s house where a passable pre-mixed Long Island Ice Tea. Sara was the lone lady on the ride so buck up next year women and join us!
While I had a 50th birthday party for a couple of friends to attend the rest of the crew hit a couple more stops.
The trails along the Lake Michigan Bluff are pretty decent with some great views and lots of nice twisties.
As for equipment, I rode my Simplified 29’er. The 9’er is currently set up as a 1×9 and that worked well for this ride. Plus, I am still loving the Manitou Minute 29’er!
Here are a few shots on my Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gasmith/sets/72157625105603055/
I’ve been working on this Smitty as a candidate for some extended riding and touring for next season as well as a ride that can handle lots of gravel and occasional off-road excursions. Sort of a Monstercross meets Touring bike.
In keeping with the Smitty theme of doing many things as doing them all well, I set this bike up as a more traditional touring-type rig than the more urban-oriented Smitty’s we typically build with an internally geared hub.
For this particular set-up, I went with a Large Smitty frame to stretch the cockpit out a bit because I know I wanted a fairly short stem with some rise to get Woodchipper bars where I wanted them and to get the handling of the bike crisp both on the hoods and in the drops.
The drivetrain is pretty traditional with a sweet, gold RaceFace Dues mountain bike front triple crank and a 12-34 9-speed rear cassette. An Ultegra rear derailleur does the job in the back while the Shimano SLX front derailleur in the short cage version does the trick up front.
Since this was one of the first Smitty prototype frames we had gone with linear pull brakes on the back (current production Smittys have a disc in the rear as well as the front) so an Avid 5.0 V-brake is the choice in the rear while a Shimano disc is on the front.
The Salsa Delgado rims, laced to Shimano XT hubs with DT 2.0/1.8 comp spokes, are shod with Continental 700×42 Cyclocross Plus tires. The Continentals offer good puncture protection and the reflective “Reflex” sidewalls are super when the ride runs late.
For the present I’ve been working on getting the bike as comfortable as possible while doing 25-30 mile rides in preparation for longer jaunts to come. So far, so good. The basic riding position is very close to what I want with only minor tweaking left to do.
Remaining to be done are the addition of fenders plus front and rear racks. I don’t see myself doing fully self-contained touring yet but the versatility of being able to carry a couple of days worth of gear and provisions seems like a good idea plus the bags sure coms in handy around town!
A possible upgrade to STI levers is also a possibility. I really like the bar-end shifters but the wide Woodchipper bars coupled with the way the Woodchippers angle out puts the shifters out in the breeze quite a bit but to date that has not been a problem so we will see what we see!
More on this evolving rig as it happens.
I’m heading Home From Interbike. Killing some time ’till my flight home. Another year, another Interbike in the books. It was a long one this year. Sorry, family, it was how the flight worked out.
They announced this year that Interbike will be moving to Anaheim next year as well as being in mid August instead of late September. Fine by me! Vegas is getting old and, as we are manufacturers, the timing is better. I can take my family! For retailers, especially Midwest retailers in our own backyard, I think it will be tough to go in the middle of the selling season. Hope it works out for them!
I met The Captain, Spinner, Drew and Sean in Las Vegas on Sunday so we could hit the Outdoor Demo Days at Bootleg Canyon and ride a bunch of cool bikes. Lots of nice stuff out there. A few things struck me about the MTBs:
– Carbon has come a long way since I last rode a plastic bike. The ride on the Marin and the Breezer I rode was well damped and the bikes are stiff where you need them to be. Cost is still a barrier though. The high-end spec Breezer is $5,600 or so! Yikes. I think I’ll stick with steel and more realistic components. Crash worthiness is a consideration too. There is not much material in a 2.5 lb frame!
– If I lived near Bootleg Canyon outside Vegas I’d have to have a Full Sus rig! No doubt about it, having tons of plush travel on both ends is great at 30-40 mph down the side of the mountain. Back home in Wisconsin I don’t need it, which is good because I don’t need ANOTHER bike. Oh, wait, see below.
– Rode a Pugsley again this year and there is a complete bike version available this year. I got one coming! Let me know if you are interested in one. Winter is coming and I can hook you up! Note that you can also go down the side of a mountain just fine on the Pug. I know, I did it!
The coolest product I rode that is more targeted to our bikes was the redesigned Nuvinci Continuously Variable hub. No gear steps!. When we last rode this thing it was 9-pounds! Nine! The new version is much more in line with the currently available Nexus and Alfine hubs and seems lighter than the i-Motion 9. I guess that is what shaving 3 pound off will do. The are also bomb proof, very smooth and have a wider “gear” ratio than previously. Good on ya, Nuvinci.
Surly has a nice trailer too. Gonna have to look hard at one because I can think of a lot of uses for one and the ability to unhook when you don’t need it is a real plus over a cargo-specific bike. Tracks behind the bike incredibly well, even with The Captain on board.
Saw a lot of cool, commuter/urban oriented clothing. Good to see that you don’t have to look like a rolling billboard to enjoy the benefits of technical fabrics and comfort. you can do it and still look stylish.
I’ll have more thoughts after I digest more of what I saw. See ya!
Pee Oui Roubaix, the alter ego of Steel is Real organizer Phil Van Valkenberg, posted a report on the 2010 Steel is Real ride held recently in Milwaukee.
Schlick Cycles riders had a great time and our bikes won three categories this year!
Check it out here:
If you’ve seen out Schlick Cycles Flickr Photoset you know that we’ve been busy over the summer on new designs as well as custom bikes for customers. We will have atricles on each of these projects in the coming weeks but, just to whet your appetite, here are a few pix of our recent work.
Simplified 650B w/Gates Carbon Drive System
Carlos’ Columbus LIFE 26-inch MTB
Smitty Great Divide
Schlick BigMX
Schlick OneBy 29’er
Mark’s TET MTB
Smitty 8-speed Coaster Brake Commuter
Sue’s TET MTB
Refurbished Ralph Cycles Mountain Bike
Well, we’ve been busy in the shop as well as riding and testing a bunch so site updates have taken a back seat to building and fun but that didn’t stop us from taking a bunch of pix of both Schlick Cycles bikes as well as several new models from Simplified Bikes.
Check out the Flickr Group here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gasmith/sets/72157622844120179/
Here are a couple to warm you up!
Tony’s Smitty with the Gates Carbon Drive System Belt Drive!
Out trail testing a Simplified 26-inch Singlespeed MTB
I updated the building queue with the information I have available now. Of course it is subject to change!
Got the photos posted from the WORS Alterra 2010 Sport class during the Alterra Mountain Bike Race at Crystal Ridge in Franklin, WI. Got some good shots, if you are a Wisconsin mountain bike racer and attended this event chances are pretty good I got a shot of you! Over 300 photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gasmith/sets/72157624757176047/
Here is the link to photos from the WORS Alterra 2010 Comp and Elite classes during the Alterra Mountain Bike Race at Crystal Ridge in Franklin, WI.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gasmith/sets/72157624881494054/
Sport class will be up shortly!
We will be at the Steel is Real Ride in Milwaukee again this year. Got more peeps sporting Schlick steel rides this year and even though this is only the 2nd Annual Steel is Real ya got all the power and bike riding shennagianery organizing skill from Pee Oui’s close to 30 years of doing the Fat Tire Tour of Milwaukee to bank on. It will be a good one!
Indirectly from the Cat his own self!
Vote in the Best Steel Bike Contest. Riders will vote at Cafe Hollander before the start for the best Road Bike, One-On-One, Balloon-Tired Bomber, Mountain Bike, Bagel Wheels (24″ or less), Extemporaneous (high degree of creativity), and the coveted “Should’ve Taken ‘er to Ziebart” award for the best rust bucket (must be ridden) that looks a few pedal turns from the junk yard. We might do a best tandem award too if more than one shows up.
At registration everyone will get stickers for each Best Steel Bike category. You’ll vote for your favorite by putting the sticker on the bike of choice. We’ll call up entrants for each category and if you’ve got one entered you can do the show dog routine and tell about it. You can also buy votes. Beer bribes and flirting seem to work best.
And, we’ll have the Tattoo Contest again for real and fake tattoos on men and women. It will be “people’s choice” judging at a yet to be disclosed location. We’ll have washable ink colored pens available at earlier stops.
As before, we’ll be visiting fun Milwaukee taverns along the 25-mile route that starts and finishes at Cafe Hollander at 2608 North Downer Avenue. If your bike won “Best Bike” in one of the categories, people are sure to buy you beer to suck up. If you entered and didn’t win, you can just bitch about it. No one will buy you beer, but bitching is a Wisconsin tavern art form and you’re going to have company to join in the pissing and moaning. What could be better?
The long-sleeve T-shirt you get when you register will have the latest Steel Is Real Milwaukee logo on it. (See that pretty photo up over there a ways?) No, Pee didn’t pose for it. Would have had better hair and a bigger package if he did.
Hope to see ya there!
I ordered a Road ID for Syd and got another “friend code”. Use it if you need to. I think the Road ID is a great idea and should be part of any riders “kit”.
Coupon Number: ThanksGreg828217
This coupon is good for $1 off any Road ID order. It can be used up to 20 times in the next 30 days.
Look for us this coming Saturday at the New Belgium Tour de Fat in Milwaukee. More info here.
… and having some fun.
Hard to keep up with reports on bike-related events we go to but here is a minor whack at that.
Tour of America’s Dairyland races are behind us. I hit Shorewood and Downer Ave. Good times at both. We had a few bikes at a house party on Lake Dr. for the Downer race where several people took Tony’s belt drive Smitty for a cruise, including me! It is a super ride. Can’t wait to get my own.
There are a few pix on the Flickr site here.
Coming up we will be at several Superweek races including Downer Ave. on July 24th. Look for us on Lake Dr. about a block and a half north of Bradford. We will have bikes to check out and possibly a cold one or two!
We delivered Tony’s Smitty built with the Gates Carbon Drive System a couple of weeks ago and he is already sending in glowing comments!
Tony’s Smitty was built with Paragon’s Sliding Drop to allow us to tension the belt and because Paragon makes the mount with a break at the stay necessary to install the belt.
We used the Shimano Alfine 8-speed IGH along with a 46T front belt wheel. Gearing is great with the Schwalbe Big Apple tries. The bike is just a total blast to ride.
Direct from the Cat’s mouth:
A friend of a friend at MREA just rode the bike and said he had an out of body experience. Freakin hippies! Lots of questions all day!
and
I had another 10 or so people ride it at MREA today and nothing but amazement was reported. Everything from “Never saw a belt drive before” to “what’s up with this tires …… wait, what the hell is up with that belt!”. The smile on their face was worth the ride alone. Just an epic ride, Greg!
Took my Rat Ride for a cruise the other day and rode the Marsupial bridge. Seemed a good spot for a photo and a little mammal on mammal action.
Yep, we do build some great bikes but I often like to ride bikes from other manufacturers simply because they are awesome. The Surly Rat Ride is one.
The Rat rules the day!
The legendary bike ride pub crawl “through the underbelly of Milwaukee”, The Fat Tire Tour of Milwaukee, celebrated 26 years this year.
Just posted a Fat Tire Tour of Milwaukee XXVI Flickr Photoset.
Venues visited in no particular order were and not necessarily official:
Dave bowling at Kochanski’s while Greg pilots Tony’s Xtracycle.
Here’s looking forward to next year’s Fat Tire Tour of Milwaukee XXVII!
Get ready because it is coming whether you are ready or not!
We will pay homage to the brew city’s bowling heritage and the movie The Big Lebowski on Saturday, June 12. We’ll be visiting legendary bowling alleys like the Holler House, the oldest lanes in the US. We’ll hit Long Wong’s too and they’ll play The Big Lebowski on the big screen.
Pix from the event may be posted as it happens! For sure after.
The hugely successful Ray’s MTB Indoor Park is coming to Milwaukee in Fall 2010!
I’d been hearing rumors and plans for a while now but a recent Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN) story confirmed that this is no rumor! Here is a bit of the low down.
Ray’s was the first indoor mountain bike park in the world when it opened in 2004 in Cleveland, OH.
To help with the Milwaukee location Ray’s MTB has partnered with Trek Bicycle for this gigantic expansion
The Milwaukee Park site currently under major construction. It will be in a 110,000 square foot former Menard’s store on the north side of Milwaukee.
Plans are to have it open Fall through Winter with opening ceremonies scheduled for November 2010
Ray’s will offer XC, freeride, dirt jump, park bike and BMX all under one roof.
Sounds great!
What is a bit funny to me is that I tried to figure out a way to do this way back in 1990 or so when the old Gimbel’s Warehouse on the Milwaukee River was standing unoccupied for several years. It was 9 stories tall and had forklift ramps throughout. I envisioned a 7-story park with the ground lever being retail with a bike shop, juice bar, restaurant, massage therapist, bike messenger biz and several other related businesses. Wish it had come to fruition! Well, at least now we have Ray!
There will be a new website just for the Milwaukee Park but, for now, check this out:
http://www.raysmtb.com/new/index.html
and the Cleveland location:
http://www.raysmtb.com/index.php
also, here is the complete BRAIN article on the Trek connection: