First dirt

Admittedly I am a bike snob. So for Megan's 9th birthday I thought it would be a great idea to get her a real bike, not a pile of junk like they try to sell to the kids at Costco or Walmart. I decided on the 20" Kona Makena from my local bike shop.
Madelin has been riding Sarah's old Jamis Expert and they both have expressed an interest in doing some legitimate mountain biking with their old man. Last Saturday we took of for their first adventure in dirt on the Bearclaw Poppy Trail. We rode up the hill until they wore out and wanted to turn around.



Madelin was not as happy as Megan about the uphill but as soon as she turned around I never saw her again until the bottom.




Both girls decided that going down was worth the climb.

What are you doing?

Mike Curiak is the toughest man I know. I have know Mike for a couple of years now, he comes down to St. George every 3-4 months to ride with us regular human beings. He builds 29er wheels for a living, I have a set on my new bike.

This is Mike at Gooseberry Mesa last fall.



So I know your asking what does he do that makes him so special. How about an 1,100 mile, self supported trek from Knik Lake to Nome in Alaska...... On a bike. You can read a brief write up on Mike in the Grand Junction Journal. Mike also has a blog that shows just how ridiculous this trip is.

This is Mike and his bike loaded up to leave.



He still holds the record for the fastest time on this trail. It is the same trail that they use for the Iditardod. Some folks just race it on bikes instead.

So what are you doing with your life? He makes me feel lazy and out of shape. I think I will go ride my bike so that when he comes to town next month I won't make a fool of myself.

Barrel Roll

Spring has sprung in St. George, the temps and trails are superb. I took the camera with me for the second ride on the new scooter. This is the Barrel Roll trail just above Santa Clara named for the Barrel Cactus that you find there.

You can actually see my house in this photo if you know where to look. Pine Valley Mt still has a little snow as you can see. All you suckas' that live in the great white north can put this up as your screen saver and dream of being me.



I took a shot here commemorating the first scratch on the bike. I chunked the fork into a rock in the crevice you can see above the rear tire.


As I suspected this bike is a load of fun and an absolute rocket on the smooth, twisty trails.

The Unvieling

Here is the new ride fully built, if you look close in this photo you can see Megan's head as she is admiring the shiny red parts.





Notice the smooth cable routings I did
for the front and rear deraillers. Yes those housings are Avid Flak Jackets.
















Now all I need is a photo shoot with Racy Straw. I think a couple in black and white would be stunning.

New Arrival

Well after much anticipation our newest arrival is finally here.
Everyone say hello to the Niner R.I.P 9
RIP short for "Roll In Peace." This stellar machine was voted bike of the year by mtbr. The Niner name is in reference to the usage of 29" wheels. Most bikes have 26" wheels so these would be bigger.
The parts are rolling in from all over the globe and I should have the shake down cruise sometime next week.

Here she is resting gently in my office chair.


Stay tuned for the fully built photos along with a complete list of components.
I'm sure you are all giddy.

Terrestrial Radio is dead to me.

I hate local radio. I am glad that they are in a panic over losing market share to the point that they are spending money to decry the folly of satellite radio. The adds that are running locally are pathetic, sad and full of untruth. Instead of telling everyone why they shouldn't get satellite radio why don't they provide a product that people want to hear.
I have had XM radio for 4-5 years and I am never going back. Look here to see what you are missing.
Terrestrial radio may be free but I guess you get what you pay for.

Birthday Party

February 4 is my birthday, I'll be 37. My lovely bride is not all that fond of cakes, she will make them if you ask but she would much rather have an ice cream pie. Lucky for me I have a friend who for the last few years has taken my plight to heart and provided me with a special, homemade, German choc0late cake of my very own.


I won't use her name online but it rhymes with "Racy Straw." This is a shout out to you girlfriend.


I thought I would also list a few of the lucky people who share my birthday;

Alice Cooper, in the running for ugliest man alive.

The late, great Rosa Parks. 'nuff said'




Natalie Imbruglia.......



Who can forget this guy, Dan Quayle. POTATOE... POTATO???





Charles Lindbergh, my favorite aviator, shame about his baby.




And since tonight is the Super Bowl I thought I should put my favorite Giant in here. The original "LT", Lawrence Taylor.