Wednesday, April 01, 2009

New Commuting Record, and Mountain Bike Envy

I almost didn't ride to work today, was running late, and it was a bit chilly, but boy am I glad I did. From the moment I left the driveway I had that feeling, you know the one, when you just know it is going to be a good ride. Everything seemed perfect, the sun was low over the ocean, not much traffic on the roads yet, and I knew in the first mile that I had the wind in my favor (this never happens), so I decided to try and break my commuting record of 25 minutes (set last Fall). I usually don't push it in the morning, but I just put my head down and hammered it the entire 6.5 miles. When I reached the doors of work I hit the mode button on my computer and it read 22:06 minutes! Now I have to break the 20 minute mark, but I can't imagine that happening anytime soon. Oh the little things in life.

In other news, I have been trying to get out on the mountain bike whenever I can. Last Fall I borrowed a used Devinci Moonracer from the owner of my LBS, and he seems in no hurry to get it back, but I know eventually he will ask for it back. I could probably buy it from him for short money, and the full suspension is pretty sweet, but I think I really want a hardtail. I've been checking craigslist for a lightly used Stumpjumper or something similar, but I know if I brought home another bike right now I'd be sleeping outside for a long time coming. I had a titanium mountain bike back in the early '90s and loved it, but sadly it was a tad small, I replaced it with a '94 Stumpjumper (which I just sold last September). I'd love to have another Ti bike someday. While cruising around the net tonight I came across Carver Bikes. Have you seen these bikes? The owner, Dave, lives in China with his wife, and builds Ti frames starting at, get this, $1,000! Please don't tell him that he could easily sell his frames for much more, at least not until I get my hands on one of his 29'er frames. That isn't happening anytime soon, but it sure is fun to think about it.

Listening to: NPR- All Songs Considered Podcast

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Just saw this earlier today:

http://gnatlikesbikes.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/carl-strong-built-s-s-coupled-29er-for-sale/

I've lusted after this very bike for a while, too bad it's not really in my size.

JMH said...

Sean,

Besides the couplers, isn't that bike very similar to your El Mariachi?

Unknown said...

That bike is based on El Mariachi geometry, which is based on Dos Niner geometry. I first saw that bike just about the same time I got my first glimpse of the original El Mariachi but I can't be sure of which one came first. BTW, GNAT is Jason Boucher, general manager of Salsa Cycles.

JMH said...

You still have your El Mariachi, right? That bike is high on my list of possible next bikes.

Unknown said...

Oh yes, I love that bike more every time I ride it. S&S and no EBB would be all it would take to make that bike perfect. I'm actually considering boxing up TBFKAU and sending down to my parent's house so I don't have to borrow during subsequent visits. The El M. is all I really need. Of course there's the half built Cowan in the corner too, I'm still not really sure what I'm going to do with that bike...

rambling canuck said...

Excellent post (and love the cartoons linked). Chug a pint of coffee before you leave - you'll get sub 20. Hammer on, bro.

Jonny Bold said...

Hi Jay,
I just recently got back to my blog after a long time away. It took me a minute to realize who you were. Your blog is awesome! Loved the Clash, Elvis, Bruce, Dave Grohl video, and of course....Underdog!
Peace, JB