SOFT SAND IS WHERE YOU FIND IT
No snow, just cold
Greetings!
Another first post by another first time crew member. I’m both honored and excited to be riding for the 29er crew for 2010. Unlike some of you who are cursing the vast quantities of snow blanketing the east, I’m lamenting its absence here in North Jersey. For the second time this year, Southern Jersey down to Virginia got slammed, and we got a whole lotta nothin’ (conventional wisdom dictates this should be reversed…right???). Being a snowboarder who lives walking distance from the slopes, this was a major disappointment…I guess a couple of powder days is too much to ask for. Oh well.
My thoughts are already drifting towards the first race of the year; this time around it’s at my old stomping grounds, Patapsco SP, MD on March 20th. I look forward to seeing some of you there. So at least I’m getting in some effective base miles on the trainer. It’s brutally cold and windy up here so the road is out for most of the upcoming week, and since there’s no snow, its time to dust off the 29er, don layers of wicking, windproof, thermal clothing, booties, toe warmers, lobster gloves, glove liners etc. etc… and hit the trails! It may not be comfortable, but my brain is starting to turn to jello listening to Coach Troy while from the trainer. Man, I can’t wait for warmer weather!
-GGD
New to the Crew
"Murdered Out" @ Snotcycle 2010
This is my 1st post as a member of this years Fisher 29er Crew, and like most of my Mid-Atlantic big-wheeled brethren, I too am buried in 29″+ of snow. The core is getting worked while yielding a shovel, and on-bike training is accompanied by the humming of the trainer. I managed to get a few outside miles logged today, as my bike was my transportation to resupply on some drinks, and food. It was great to see the “are you serious” looks on peoples faces as my wife and I rode our bikes down the snow covered streets today that only a handful of vehicles were able to navigate.
Last weekend, I spent a little time practicing riding in the snow at the 2nd Annual Snotcycle Race, put on by Plum Grove Cyclery and Go Time Racing. Just like last year, the race was on snow and my tire of choice, the Bontrager XR1’s proved to be a great tire, cutting through the powder and cruising on top of the hard-pack. I was very happy with my finish, my off-season fitness level, and my post race lunch at the Black Hog BBQ in Frederick, MD.
I look forward to posting reviews, news, and anything I may find interesting as the season progresses. Keep an eye out.
Gary Fisher 29er Inches of Snow Crew
Make no mistake; I hate snow. There is nothing about it that excites me. You know you are going to spend the entire day clearing it away. Then there are my children, I have 3. So, a choice has to be made. Snow wins.
Every year we have significant snowfall, I will make some larger than life sculpture. Let’s see…My dog, a chair, a dragon, a 30 ft long shark, an indian. So I decided to do something different this year. 3,500 calories and 4 hours later, the toboggan run was ready. Not a De Vinci by any means, but the kids could care less about that anyway. They have something that is functional.
I am still amazed that after all of that shoveling; yes shoveling-I am the only guy who doesn’t have a snow blower and a spare tire, there is still that much snow in the yard. Kinda like when you watch the road runner character eat his grains so that the coyote can drop an anvil on his head, and the food never gets any smaller.
I was smart; rarity indeed. I shoveled the walk and driveway during the storm. I used this as a substitute for my cycling intervals. I knew the day was going to be sunny and did not want to spend it digging out. It is work, but it is for the little one’s, so it is worth it…I think.
My back will let me know tomorrow.
29″ of snow was certainly no coincidence in my book. Even the Big Guy understands the impact of the 29er movement. His way of saying thanks to all who have taken the leap. I would have preferred something a little less back breaking, but I will have to accept it. Still, I hate snow, but love my kids.
New Guy
Hi, my name is Brett. I’m the youngest guy on the team…I think. I am in middle school, and I’ve been racing bikes forever and I got tired of people riding past me on 2 niners and decided to give one a try. Now I’m hooked, and look forward to riding past them.
My First Post as a 29er Crew Member
I want to say hello to everyone, my name is Lindsey. I am new to the 29er crew. I am looking forward to racing as a crew member and making postings here. Since I am a High School student, and it’s winter in Ohio I don’t get much time to ride outdoors during the day. I do most of my riding at night at Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park.
Holding Back
When the news says “stay off the roads” there was no holding back. Only one thing to do….grab a bike and ride the unplowed city. Major streets looked like Zombies had taken over as fewer than a dozen cars were seen on my ride to Dunkin Donuts. The 2010 Blizzard didn’t keep me from a 3 hr ride.
Stork
Big wheels & Long rides
This will be my first full season on a 29er and I’m kicking myself for holding out so long. It wasn’t so much that I was a non-believer, I chalk it up to laziness more than anything. Now that I’m on one I’m totally hooked and my poor little 26 inch bikes aren’t getting much love. I’m looking forward to a little change this year as I will be focusing more on endurance races as opposed to xc. I will still be doing plenty of xc races but I plan to wedge in a 24 solo and the Cascade Creme Puff as well. I’m not sure what brought about this idea of endurance racing… as a matter of fact I can vividly remember a few years ago racing in a 24 hour race on a 2 man team at about 3 am promising myself I would never do such a thing again. Well here I am, doing it again, only solo this time. I blame the 29 inch wheels, there a bad influence on me.
I am excited to be rocking the 29er Crew label this year! Big thanks to Kurt, my nominating rep, for hooking a brother up! Looking forward to a great season. J
29 inches
It seems totally appropriate that on the day of my first post ever to the 29er Crew blog that I spent the day digging out of 29 inches of snow here in Bethesda Maryland. It’s the most snow we’ve gotten in the Washington DC area since 1996, when we got 26 inches. Back then I was a racing on a 26 inch hardtail. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Time goes by, people evolve and so does technology. A light 29 inch wheeled bike is an advantage. Few would argue that Fisher bikes aren’t among the best. That’s why I’m here: the bikes are inspiring.
It was a 5+ hour workout for my wife and I. First we dug out our cars, then shoveled the sidewalk, then our neighbor’s walk (she’s 96 and I really should not be shoveling snow ;-), then another neighbor’s car.. It’s amazing how productive you can be when you think of this “chore” as training. I try to remember to shovel lefty half the time so the ab-intensive workout is not imbalanced… I’m weird that way! 
Rather than ride the trainer, tomorrow we’re going to head out on our cross country skis through the mostly still unplowed streets of our suburban neighborhood. Why fight it?
I’m really looking forward to this year riding and representing Gary Fisher… and to maybe meeting some of my equally inspired 29er Crew teammates at the races.
In terms of the calendar, I’m planning on six of the 100 mile NUE races again this year on single speed, interspersed with some local regional cross country events on my geared bike… that is if I can get the Eurovan dug out!
White Roads
Under the mid winter blanket at 9600 ft. motivation gets me out on white stuff, bike or skis not onto dirt but white ribbons through the woods, some roads some trails but the work needs to be done.
