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

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

Iowa Dirt

This guy grew up in Iowa...awesome

GTDRI '13

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

- Cookie

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

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

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