Free Your Mind, And Your Legs Will Follow

Monday, January 28, 2013

Vintage


My brother was helping my mom move this past weekend and sent me this vintage pic probably circa 2003-2004 when I started riding the road bike. My first road bike was a trek 1220 aluminum frame that I bought for $100 from RRB where I worked. My manager Randy gave me the old Shimano 600 groupo and Don from Lake Geneva gave me the saddle and seatpost. I built my first set of wheels when I was 17 (pictured are my friend Pete's Dad's cane creek wheels I was using to get started) Vintage...for me at least

- JB

Weekend rides










Me, Bonk Master, and Bobo were able to get out Saturday and Sunday for some weekend rides. Both days we cruised out on Crystal Lake which was frozen over. It was so much fun to cruise on the ice and look like freaks to the ice fisherman. We almost asked them for a beer but chickened out. It started to sleet and pour freezing rain as we were out on the lake and when I got home my bike was a sheet of ice and my backpack had a layer of ice on it as well. It was awesome to be out enjoying the day and refreshing to see many kids out on the ice playing hockey and enjoying the winter weather. Stay active. 500 miles so far this month. 

- JB

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Post Cards


A Card I sent to Guitar Ted earlier this year for Trans Iowa just cause....


I wanted to attempt the Royal last year but got sick after Trans Iowa. This year its on again....pending how I feel I will attempt the Nellie


The back of the card I sent to Chris Skogen. I found this at the circus museum in Baraboo , WI after camping at Devil's Lake

Most of the races that I enter require submission of a post card. Sometimes I make my own or doctor one up or just happen to find some cool postcards. I have been collecting some now and randomly sending them to my family and friends. Just kind of a cool way to stay in touch away from all of this internet high speed garbage...analog style.

I had a cold ride today. Bob, TBK(the bonk king), and myself planned a ride but all ending up having stuff going on at different times so we all rode....just not together. Would have been cool to have a trio of fatties on the road though. 

Probably will stay off of the bike this Mon and Tues due to very very cold and windy conditions.

- JB

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Week of Commutes


The commuting continues. Great sunset tonight after a LONG week at work. Have been thankful for my bike to help me relieve some stress and get out some demons. Riding tomorrow with Bob and the Bonk King if anyone is interested give us a shout. 

- JB

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Fat January


All my miles in Jan will be on the fat bike. I ride it without shifting. It was cold today. I started out at 27 and got home it was 22. This is without the wind chill so undoubtedly it was in the teens with the strong west wind. The legs are in pain and I know I'm on the right path. Sometimes I get bummed when I see other people riding more miles than me or training differently than me. This year I am blocking all of that out and doing my own thing...what I know works for me. 

- JB

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Commuting: A Lifestyle

Every new year means lots of commuting miles. I ride to work. Work. Ride home....nearly everyday. I try and take new ways to work, longer ways to work, shorter ways to work....something different just to mix up the daily grind. It is very peaceful at night all by yourself under the stars relaxing on the bike after a hard days work...seeing a beautiful sunset in the distance, reminding you while you still love the midwest. Or, being up early as the daily hustle and bustle is just starting and someone with a suit on drives past you in their BMW secretly wishing that they were in your shoes. Commuting is a way of life for me. I have done it ever since my first bike shop job at RRB cycles in Mundelein, IL when I was 16 years old. I used to ride my BMX bike to work (and it used to be further than my commute now!). I felt like I got something accomplished at the end of the day when I got home....and I still feel that now when I get home. I probably eat the same amount of food and am probably still a bit grumpy when I get out of bed...but when I get on my bike...I am instantly awake. The fresh air hits your lungs and the days light opens your eyes just to get you going....no coffee needed. I love this feeling and hope that I always will. In preparation for my races this year I think of my commuting as training. I remembered a great blog post I read years ago by Joe Meiser from Salsa Cycles on his philosophy found here. If you can....commute to work...even if you don't have a shower. Try it...you might like it.

- Jay, Slender Fungus

Friday, January 11, 2013

Iowa Dirt



This guy grew up in Iowa...awesome

Thursday, January 10, 2013

GTDRI '13

The Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational is going to be co-hosted by the Slender Fungus. Stay posted!

- Cookie

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Single Gearing


The first snow ride


Jacket is soaked from the rain/snow


Glasses got fogged up


Sunday morning ride with nasty winds....heading up deerpass rd with a nice climb


Found this awesome ice covered gravel road


My commuting and miles for january are solely going to be done using the pugsley. I have been trying to destroy my legs as much as possible in anticipation for the mother that looms. I have been riding with a style I call "single gearing"....taking my geared bikes and finding a gear that I like and not shifting. This really beats me up and gets me ready for my single speed TI attempt. Bring it on. 

- JB

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Slender Fungus President Survives Half Century






The Slender Fungus celebrated our President's 50th birthday at an undisclosed location in central illinois. Drinks were had, meat was eaten, laughter filled the room. We are lucky to have such a unique friend to motivate us and come up with crazy rides and show us what cycling is all about. Happy Birthday Ari!!!

- Cookie

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year


2013:

Ride Bike More
Finish TIV9 SS
Finish Royal 162
Finish Chequamegon 100 in under 12 hours
Finish Gravel Worlds
Finish Heck of the North
Recycle more
Camp/Hike More
Tour with my bicycle
Stop being lazy
Ride with Ari more
Ride in IA once a month at least
Organize Race
Take more photos
Build All-City Nature Boy Zona
Don't buy as much bike stuff
Save money
Take more road trips
See Cyclocross Worlds in Louisville
Tour Seven Factory in Boston
Go to yearly MN trip for Frostbike
Make better decisions
Be nicer to people
Don't judge people
Make more art
See my family more
Be a good professor
Get up earlier
Be inspired
Inspire
See awesome concerts
Laugh
Do a 200 mile SFCA ride
Blog more
Buy more records
Be a better friend
Cook more at home
Buy local