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

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

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

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