Jonesin’
Let me just start by saying, I don’t want to hear anybody tell me how they never stopped riding, and I should just get up off my ass and go ride. I’ll decide, not you.
Anyway, I’m getting pretty antsy about wanting to ride some dirt. There are a few contributing factors.
First, I got my new bike. It’s a sexy little carbon fiber number in the cutest shade of periwinkle ever(don’t ask).
They say, that Black is the fastest color, but white is faster. Not sure where periwinkle fits in there.
The Santa Cruz Blur LTc. The “c” is for crack-a-lackin’. Moving a little more towards the All-Mountain side of the Trail/All-Mountain micro-niche of the industry. Though nowhere near the Downhill arena, and not quite into the All-Mountain/Big-Mountain arena. I may need to move more towards the Cross-country/Trail end of the spectrum come 24 hrs of Moab time. I wish somebody would invent a bike specifically geared towards the Beefy-for-a-fat-guy/ Lightweight-climber segment of the market. What was I talking about? Oh my bike. Yeah pretty stoked. It’s kind of a mid-range parts build. But I know a guy with an ultra trick build on that bike and it only shaves about a pound. Plus,….I’m poor. So mid-range it is.
Having this new bike creates an odd little dilemma. It’s bright, shiny, and new. And the weather outside still sucks. It has been said that I have a little black rain cloud following me around. I hesitate to drag said shiny bike out through the mud and muck. Daryl Devey told me today that all the lower stuff at Lambert has cleared off but is a little soggy. So, do I really want to muddy up a bike with 140mm of travel on the lower section of Lambert. Don’t think so.
Oh I did have an invitation to join Fuzzy in St George this weekend. I considered it. Checked the calendar and told him I wouldn’t be able to make it since I was on-call this week. He left yesterday, which is about the time I realized that although I had cancelled several plans and stayed close to home, that I was off by a week and am actually on-call next week. Meaning I could have easily joined the Great Southern Roadtrip and had a chance to break in the bike on some honest-to-goodness dry dirt. Also, it means that not only did I blow this week, but next week is already pre-blown for me.
Even if I can’t ride dirt, maybe this would be a good time to get some road miles in. I even arranged a demo bike from the shop for the annual Sometime-In-February-Something-To-Do-With-Brett-Rawlings-Birthday-Ride-To-Vernon with Stan and the Velo Club. Went in to pick it up today and found that the ride had been cancelled. Fans of “I’m too fat to ride a road bike stories” should feel bad, this ride is usually good for a few laughs.
And so I sit. Swelling like a tick hidden in the folds of a fat guys inner thigh, waiting to pop. A new bike in the corral, and no immediate plans to do anything about it. It feels like dating a morally upstanding girl in high school. Sure they’re fun to look at. And you can always close your eyes, bite your bottom lip, and imagine what it would be like to “take ‘er out for a spin”. But when your eyes roll back down out of your head and you come to, you realize that it was all just a fantasy. So the best you can do is tell your friends you got further than you did and wait for prom night.
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Let’s go! We don’t need the Velo club to do a stupid, ill advised ride out to Vernon. Grab a bike and lets head out tomorrow. That gives you absolutely no time to think of an excuse. Plus I need to get some more mileage in on my new road bike.
Comment by Jake — February 20, 2010 @ 4:44 pm
It’s not a Tallboy, but I guess a Blur LTc is pretty good too
Nice bike Josh!
Comment by Wes — February 20, 2010 @ 11:29 pm
Since I didn’t have enough time to think of an excuse I just waited until it snowed to reply. We should have gone yesterday it was nice until the late afternoon.
Comment by Joshua — February 21, 2010 @ 9:46 am
Yeah, ok. We had about an inch this morning so I’ll let it go. However, we do need to get out and do a looooong road ride.
Comment by Jake — February 21, 2010 @ 3:21 pm
Nice bike how come you got rid of your rize?
Comment by stretch — February 21, 2010 @ 4:12 pm
That’s a little like asking “why trade in your VW Jetta for an Audi RS4?” The Rize is a good bike but the bltc is a great bike.
Comment by Jon — February 21, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
I feel your pain. I’ve got dry dirt withdrawals bad. And I’m doing 2 trade shows back to back and have a pile of work. But in 2 weeks I may be free – let’s run for the border.
Comment by KanyonKris — February 21, 2010 @ 6:24 pm
Josh will you try to replicate your post pic on your new bike? If so I wont to be thier again to see you pull it of on the new STEED. Nice bike!
Comment by "Papa" Mike — February 21, 2010 @ 9:19 pm
@ Stretch, I liked the Rize a lot, but having a “connection” means I get the chance to ride something new each year. At least for now.
And I should point out, that I am pretty content to sit on my butt until we go to Fruita in March. Though I wouldn’t rule out any invitations Kris.(hint,hint)
Comment by Joshua — February 22, 2010 @ 8:36 am
@Jon: I’d hardly consider the Rize a VW Jetta. I’m glad Josh can get a new bike and I’m sure he’ll love it but I’ll bet the Rize was lighter and had a better component spec. The biggest difference is between a single pivot and a dual short link. Both have their advantages.
Comment by Jake — February 22, 2010 @ 11:07 am
That is sweet! I tried to blow up the pictureto get a better look, but the picture doesn’t blow.
I may have my weeks mixed up, but wasn’t the forecast for the ‘George pounding rain mixed with snow last Saturday? We went down a few weeks ago and everything but barrel roll and slickrock trails were a full on mud-fest (according to the shops, everyone knows I refuse to ride in the mud). I had an invite to do Vernon with “the fast guys” two weeks ago, but knowing you wouldn’t be there meant a 5 hour solo ride. Just didn’t sound fun.
Comment by Paul — February 22, 2010 @ 5:38 pm
Sounds like a sweet deal with the new bike every year. I have been happy with my rize so far. Keep me posted on fruita i have about 8 commitments so that means there will probably be 3 of us.
Comment by stretch — February 22, 2010 @ 5:44 pm
Can’t wait for Fruita to take my shiny new red bike down. Make the snow go away.
Comment by Nick — February 23, 2010 @ 10:40 am
Everybody pray for sunshine. Fruita might go to hell if it doesn’t warm up soon
Comment by Joshua — February 23, 2010 @ 10:03 pm
Why did you just have to rain on my happy parade?
Comment by Jake — February 23, 2010 @ 11:29 pm