Halloween 2008

Another Halloween is in the books. Warm with only a few sprinkles of rain. Jamie and I accompanied the Clone Trooper to collect treats (no tricks this year). Queen Amadala went to Naboo with her friends, and the head wound patient went to the hospital. Jolene stayed home to dole out the confections to the roving hoards of undead, no, make that children.

As a Wall Street trader (traitor?) it's been a tough year for me. Please send money - I take credit cards, PayPal, checks, anything. If I don't get some cash soon I may lose my house in the Hamptons or have to sell one of my sports cars. Yes, my situation is THAT desperate. (I hadn't shaved since Fruita last weekend so I put it to use in the costume. And that's a suit from the late 80s - I could still squeeze into the pants.)



Only 4 people we met could guess Jamie's costume without clues. Submit your guesses in the comments. (Elizabeth guessed the costume. Here's the answer.)


Kade feeling the after effects of lots of walking and candy consumption.


We drove 8 blocks west to watch a bit of entertainment (thanks for the tip, Kendra). Seems a family and some friends and neighbors were putting on a live reenactment of the Michael Jackson Thriller music video every half hour. We got there right as it started. A spooky-looking guy in a red robe and mask on a tower mimed the Vincent Price monologue then a bit of pyrotechnics and the dancers did their thing on the driveway. They had the moves down. The guy doing Michael even did some moon walk and the kicking-twisting leg thing. After dancing they moved back into the garage and the door went down - show over. Pretty cool they'd do this on their own to add to the holiday festivities.

Bonus: If the old Michael Jackson version is doing it for you, try this remix featuring Adam Sevani with some updated dance moves:

Glenwild Twilight Ride

With these warm, sunny days I couldn't take it any longer and had to ride. Jolene met me at work and we carpooled up to Park City for a ride on the Glenwild trails. We started from the Spring Creek trail head and went east on the Glenwild Loop. I had not done this trail before and I liked it - good, flowing single-track. Then we took Cobblestone up to Flying Dog, also a good trail. The many swooping switchbacks going up Flying Dog looked fun to come down, but weren't too bad to climb either. I was hoping we'd get part way down Flying Dog in the light, but we lost it at the top and put on the lights. It was a little spooky rolling down the mountain through the trees at night, we heard one fairly big critter crashing around in the brush - perfect for Halloween. This was Jolene's first night ride and she did great. We finished off Flying Dog then took 24/7 and Stealth back to the car. A sweet 16.5 mile loop.

Up the Flying Dog switchbacks.


Getting close to the top of Flying Dog as the sun sinks.


Almost to the top, but the daylight is almost gone too.


Finally at the top with the sun well set.


Jolene rocks the night with the sweet ghetto lights.


The big dogs are rolling this same loop tonight and I'll bet they have a good time. The loop has no really steep grades and I think it should be just about perfect for single speed. If our little night ride felt a little like an assault, they will be like an invasion. Awesome.

Friday Bonus: Remember the literal version of the Take On Me video? Well the same group did a literal version of the Tears For Fears song Head Over Heels - comedy gold (thanks, Dan):

Passing Of A Kidney Stone

I was relieved to see the kidney stone land in the filter this morning. I was confident it was out of the painful areas, but it was nice to actually see the evil little thing out of my body. Since I have a microscope at work, I'm able to show you what the vexing little hunk of crystal looks like. It's 3 mm long with plenty of sharp points that surely did a nice job of sticking to my ureter wall. This one is bigger and more jagged than the first one I had 5-6 years ago.





The Wikipedia article on kidney stones is pretty good, if you want to read more about it. I guess I should cut back on the chocolate and nuts.

First Fruita

I've heard about Fruita for years, but just hadn't made it out there to ride. We got talking to Andy and Rhonda, after they had returned from one of their Fruita trips - a plan was made and this weekend it happened.

Andy has been to Fruita a few times and showed us the good trails. After noon we pulled into the parking area for the Kokopelli trail system and set out for a tour of Mary's, Lions, Mack Ridge and Moore Fun. Mary's travels along a cliff band above the Colorado River with nice views and lots of fast cruising spiced with some technical obstacles. Lions was similar but with a climb. Mack Ridge had a good mix of up, down, tech, cruising, and nice views from the ridge.

There's trails in them thar hills!


Moore Fun was a misnomer for us with over-the-top technical stunts. The trail went wherever the terrain was the roughest. It got old after a while, especially on the initial climb coming from the north. Once on top it got better and was fun in spots.

Jolene cranks up Moore Fun.


We spent Saturday at the Book Cliffs area (my favorite). We went up Prime cut then down Joe's Ridge and Kessle Run. Prime Cut is the climbing trail and is not just a means to an end but a genuinely fun trail to ride. Joe's Ridge is a dirt roller coaster that we all enjoyed. The swooping turns back and forth through a shallow wash were a hit. Next we went up Prime Cut, then Chutes and Ladders, Edge Connector and Vegetarian. This was a fun loop with a variety of good riding. We finished off the day with a repeat of Prime Cut and Joe's Ridge then climbed up and did Kessel Run from the top. Just fun, fun riding.

Climbing a Ladder, with Chutes to follow.


Have full suspension, will jump.


Looking up Joe's Ridge - fine and tasty single-track.


Rhonda rolls Joe's.


Andy cranks a turn on Kessel Run.


Sunday we rode the Tabeguache area. It's a more rugged area with more steeps and technical challenges. After climbing the Tabeguache trail up to Little Park Road then the pavement up to the top we started down the Ribbon trail as it follows a ribbon of slickrock down to the drainage below. It was pretty cool to cruise down the slickrock, but it was so smooth there wasn't much excitement. As we got lower the fun stuff emerged. A few too many portages, but a unique trail that was worth doing. At the end we hauled out a steep connector trail back to the road and climbed up a bit to the Gunny trail which we all liked. Back at the Little Park Road the girls took the pavement back while Andy and I continued on some pretty good trails back to where we parked.

On the Ribbon slickrock.


I roll a techie slickrock steep - reminded me of Gooseberry Mesa.


A climb on Gunny's.


Andy and I on the last climb to finish the day.


Jolene and I enjoyed the riding and hanging out with Andy and Rhonda. There were more portages and hike-a-bikes than I expected, but still plenty of good single-track. It was really nice to get away for a 2.5 day vacation. Check out Andy's report and photos.

Now Playing: Kidney Stone 2

A few hours after arriving home from Fruita I felt a pain in my back, as it intensified I sadly realized it was probably another kidney stone. I popped some pills and tried to hold out, but the pain was unbearable so we went to the hospital.

It was a busy night at the E.R. with, strangely, several other kidney stone sufferers. I had to wait around 45 minutes to be seen - kneeling over the toilet in the bathroom trying not to vomit from the nausea was a treat. Once I got into a room it still took 30 minutes or more to get what I desperately wanted - pain killers. See, they have this annoying policy that a test must show there is something medically wrong with you before they can give you pain drugs because they have addicts come in faking pain so they can get a dose. Once they got the I.V. in and hit me with morphine, I was finally able to stop shaking and relax. We consulted with the doctor, and based on my last kidney stone, he send me home with some prescriptions to wait for it to pass.

I got some sleep last night and the pain meds help take the edge off. The pain has lessened some today. Now it's the waiting game. I hope it doesn't take too long to pass - the first one came out before I left the hospital.

Obviously I'm profoundly grateful this stone didn't drop while I was riding in Fruita, or on the drive home. Although my urinations have been less volume and more frequent the last four days so maybe it was blocking the ureter (tube between the kidney and bladder) but didn't get painful until yesterday. Regardless, the timing could have been much worse.

I'd really like to know why the ureter has so many pain sensor - kidney stones are excruciating.

I'm a bit loopy from the drugs so I hope this post is coherent. I'm going back to bed.

Update: Andy has some Fruita pictures on his blog.

Evening Update: It seems the kidney stone passed today. The pain is almost gone and I feel much better, but I haven't seen the stone in the pee filter yet so there's still some doubt.

Gone To Fruita

Sunday Update: Made it back from Fruita, but it's too late and I'm too tired to do a post. Tomorrow. But here's a teaser photo:



Heading to Fruita this morning with Andy and Rhonda for our first time riding the sweet single-track there. I was reading through the trail descriptions last night - I'm excited. I'll be back Sunday and might have a report up by Monday.

Wednesday I did the group night ride in Corner Canyon. It was fun, but I wasn't on form. Lot's of fast, strong riders and I road off the back most of the time. But such good trails up there and a blast to ride at night. dug took some photos and did a nice report.

Mountain Bike Lights For Under $50

NOTICE: I have an update on mountain bike lights.

Interested in a light setup for mountain biking at night for under
$65, $55, $50? Here are the features:

• Two light system - one on the helmet, one on the handlebars
• No bulky battery packs or cords
• 190 lumens output for each light (380 lumens total) *
• Blue-white light good for illuminating mountain biking terrain
• 2 hours of full light, 2.5 hours of usable light
• Uses high-capacity, light-weight lithium ion batteries
• Durable LED light source good for 50,000+ hours
• Tough, water-resistant housing
• 4.1 ounces (116 grams) for each light with battery

* The retailer states 230 lumens but this is simply the output claimed by the LED manufacturer at 1 amp of current. A commenter at DealExtreme stated the output is closer to 190 lumens.
These features compare well with current bike light systems - as an example, compared to the NightRider MiNewt X2, you get more light (190 lumens compared to 150 for the MiNewt) but shorter run-time (2.5 hours compared to 3.5 hours with the MiNewt).

I believe most mountain bikers will be happy with this system. The two lights work well, one on the helmet for putting light where you look, and the other on the handlebars to light the way the bike is pointing. And coming from slightly different angles (handlebar and helmet) the two lights act to mitigate harsh shadows and provide a more 3-dimensional view of the trail ahead. I've used these lights for several rides and they work great. Here's what others have to say about these lights:

• Miracle Light (a review on the Watching the World Wake Up blog)

Now on to the details.


Lights



The light is a small TrustFire TR-801 flashlight with a super-bright LED made by Cree (the XLamp XRE Q5). This light has been discussed, favorably, on MTBR's Bike Lights Forum.

The flashlight is described as having a light output of 230 lumens, and while I think that's an overstatement, it does put out an amazing amount of light (one estimate is 190 lumens). Enough that one flashlight works pretty well for mountain biking, and two provides plenty of light. Crudely measuring the light with a digital camera it ran for 2 hours at 100% light output, with another 1/2 hour of usable light and the final 1/2 hour of light too dim for biking but enough to walk.





The light pattern is pretty good for mountain biking. The center spot is bright and wide enough to cover most single-tracks with an approximate 8 degree beam angle. The dimpled reflector creates a smooth, even spot (no holes or bright and dim areas). The perimeter edge of the spot could be softer, but it's not bad as-is. (Update: Unscrewing the reflector ring 1/2 turn or less increases the spot diameter and softens the edge.) The spill light is 2-3 times the diameter of the spot (I'd guess 30 degree angle, hard to see in the photo above) and while fairly dim, it's enough to get a good idea what's off to the sides of the trail. The two lights together doubles the amount of spill light.

The housing is anodized aluminum and seems rugged. The head and tail caps screw off for changing the battery. Both terminals have springs so the battery maintains contact even with vibration (i.e. bumpy trail). The caps have o-ring seals and I imagine the flashlight is water-resistant, but I haven't tested that. A glass "lens" covers the front of the light. A glow-in-the-dark rubber push button on the back turns the light on and off. With battery it weighs 4.1 ounces (116 grams).

Batteries



A light this bright uses a lot of power and thus needs a high capacity battery. The flashlight is designed to take an 18650 lithium ion rechargeable battery which gives 2-3 hours of usable light. As batteries go, lithium ions are light weight. I've been using protected 2500 mAh lithium ion batteries (blue item in photo above) with no problems.

The charger from DealExtreme is not expensive and works well. It can charge two batteries at a time. The charge cycle takes up to 4 hours if battery is run way down. The Charge light is red and blinks during charging and turns solid green when finished.

Note that this charger and batteries may not have the safety and regulatory approval of products sold in the U.S. I feel this represents only a small risk, but judge for yourself.

Mounting

For mounting to my helmet I first tried a LiveStrong rubber wristband. I looped it over one end of the flashlight then down through a vent, around a rib then back up an adjacent vent and around the other end of the flashlight. This method holds the flashlight securely to the helmet and works well. To aim the flashlight up or down place a shim under one end. The only downside is it's a bit of a hassle to remove and then remount the flashlight.

Next I tried a velcro strap mount from DealExtreme with a notched rubber block and two velcro straps. This worked pretty well, but tipped up and down with vibration such that I had to keep reaching up to re-aim the light - it helps if the flashlight is balanced in the block (not too far forward or back). But it was easy to remove the flashlight by simply undoing a velcro strap. The velcro strap attached to the helmet was too short, but it stuck OK hooks to hooks. It would be better to lengthen the strap or find a longer one.



Then I tried using two mounts and this worked better. Not much up/down adjustment, but I was able to get it set right for my helmet. Notice that the helmet straps run opposite directions so I could attach the "hooks" tail of one strap to the "loops" part of the other strap - it holds better this way.



Update: On one ride the light kept moving because the velcro mounts didn't hold securely so I went back to the LiveStrong band with a shim taped under the flashlight to set the right angle. Recently I switched to an elastic ski strap (shown below). It holds the light securely and is faster and easier to put on. You can get them at most ski shops or on the web, like BackCountry.com.



For the handlebars, the mount from DealExtreme works very well. The beefy, rubbery body grips the bar when the thumb screw is tightened, but I have noticed it will loosen over time. For larger diameter bars just bend the screw and wrap it with tape to protect your bar. The flexible jaws hold the flashlight quite nicely, but the TR-801 may slip all the way through so I used the wrist strap to attach it to my bike in case it does slip out.



Ordering

I purchased all of the parts from DealExtreme out of Hong Kong. I couldn't find better prices. Shipping takes about 2 weeks. Here is the parts list:

Cost	Qty	Price	Description
$25.00	2	$12.50	TrustFire TR-801 Flashlight, Cree Q5-WC LED
$7.99	1	$7.99	TrustFire Protected 18650 Lithium Battery, 2500mAh (2-Pack)
$10.90	1	$10.90	UltraFire 3.6/3.7V Battery Charger
$1.80	1	$1.80	Universal Bicycle Mount
$4.12	2	$2.06	Universal Nylon Mount for Flashlights and Lasers
$49.81 TOTAL

Options

If you want to go super cheap you could go with one light. For one light I recommend putting it on the helmet since it's more important to have light where you look than where the handlebars are pointed. I have tried a single light on the helmet and it works pretty well. But a second light, battery and bar are less than $21 and I feel it's worth the price to double the light.

You could also add a third light - either two on the handlebars or two on the helmet. Putting two lights on the helmet might start to feel heavy, especially for long rides. Putting two lights on the handlebars and aligning the spots side by side would give a wider beam for wider trails or better side to side vision. The two handlebar lights could also be aligned one above the other giving good light close and farther down the trail.

If you need longer run-time, you may want to buy more batteries and/or a multi-mode flashlight. The batteries are only $4 each so it's a cheap upgrade and they're pretty easy to change. The TR-801 is also offered in a 5-mode (High / Medium / Low / SOS / Strobe) version for $16.42. A 3-mode TR-801 (High / Low / Strobe) is available for $18.20, but it uses the P4 Cree LED which outputs less light than the Q5. The strobe and SOS modes are not very useful for a bike light and annoying for riding. I don't have any of these lights so I can't vouch for them, but I didn't spot any reports of problems in the reviews or comments so that's a good sign.

Currently I run a TR-801 on the helmet and a UltraFire C2 5-mode light on the handlebars because it has a wider beam (just a fluke) and the 3 power settings allow me to conserve power when I climb and on the streets on my way to the trails (the helmet light is off). But this 5-mode C2 was buggy and took some tweaking to get it working well. If you want multiple power settings I feel the 2-mode (High / Low) C2 is a better choice - it worked good out of the box and doesn't have any annoying flashing modes. The TR-801 is not available in a 2-mode version, but new versions crop up regularly so check DealExtreme if this interests you.

If you want to tinker you can modify the lights with different optics, regulators, etc. You could even use a larger battery pack that goes in a CamelBak or on the bike and run wires to it, maybe even wire in a remote control. For more ideas, check out the MTBR Bike Lights forum, or the Bicycle Lights forum on CandlePower.

---

Revisions:
11 Nov 2013 - Updated DealExtreme links.
14 Nov 2011 - Added ski strap info and photo, for large bars bend mount screw, updated prices: total was $55.56.
04 Dec 2009 - Added spot size and LiveStrong band updates, prices dropped: total was $64.40, added section for reviews.15 Dec 2008 - Added charger & battery risk note.
30 Oct 2008 - Added light output graph, updated run-time spec, added options for more batteries and multi-mode lights, add forum links.23 Oct 2008 - Added asterisk clarifications to feature list, added link to MTBR discussion, added photos: flashlight, beamshot and battery with flashlights.

Quick Update

I went out for a short ride last night to test out the new lights that arrived on Monday. They worked well and I'll have a full report soon (probably tomorrow). Although short, it was a good ride. I had a minor crash - came into a loose corner too fast and the wheels slid out causing the bike to lay down. I'm a little banged up, but no blood drawn.

Jolene and I are heading to Fruita this weekend with Andy and Rhonda. This will be my first time riding in Fruita and I'm excited. We're heading out Friday morning.

I stayed up too late working on the review of the new lights and finishing The Road. Pretty dismal, but the writing is so tight and crisp I couldn't put it down. The austere setting adds contrast to the father-son relationship which is the focus and hopeful part of the story. But make no mistake, it's heavy, gloomy, brutal, and scary in it's plausibility.

Big Spring Hollow Double Date

Enjoyed a warm, sunny, autumn day up Big Spring Hollow with Mark and Cami.











After the riding we went to Chadders in American Fork for burgers.

Tonight I took the kids to see Clone Wars at the dollar theater (I felt a disturbance in the Force, oh, it was just dug shuddering).

Bonneville Sweet Trail

Yesterday there was a lull at work and with my kids out of school I decided to take the afternoon off.

Jolene wanted to get out and the weather was so nice we rode from our house to the BST above the Orem Cemetery and took it north all the way to Battlecreek Canyon. Such a sweet stretch of trail. At the end we reversed course. The climb back gets steep in spots, but we both made it without stopping. Then we had all the sweet downhill. It was just what we needed and we arrived home feeling refreshed.









I bought a Halo headband this week and wore it on the ride. It has a gasket feature across the brow that directs sweat away from your face. It worked great and I got no sweat in my eyes or on my sunglasses. Thumbs up.

I took the kids to see WALL-E and we all I enjoyed it - pretty good movie.

Before the movie I bought a new climbing harness for Jamie and Rachel. Maybe I'll go climb with them tomorrow.

Corner Canyon Night Ride

Last night I went on a fun night ride in Corner Canyon, after my daughter's choir concert.

I have to pause and brag just a bit because my daughter Jamie has a beautiful voice and the two choir's she's in (Show and Chamber & A Capella) performed some outstanding songs. The high school has an excellent choir program, thanks to the teacher, Mrs. Thorn. She chooses challenging and varied music that makes these concerts a joy to attend. Really. I'd pay money - they're that good.

So after the concert I got dressed, put the bike in the car and drove to Draper to meet Mark, Mike and Berkley. I arrived 10-15 minutes early so I rode up the lower Corner Canyon trail to keep warm. Then I rode north on the BST then took the Gasline trail and a little trail (don't know the name) back to the Corner Canyon trail. I only waited a few minutes before they arrived, lights ablaze.

He headed up to Clark's, but after no more than 200 yards up from the bridge we ran into thick mud and turned around.

For plan B we headed north on the BST to Bear Canyon. These lower trails, with the course granite sand, were only damp and perfect to ride. We flew along out in the burned area (still smells like smoke). On the way back we took Gasline (the same route I had done earlier). It was so fun we did it again but in the reverse direction.

I had fun catching air off the set of three bumps in the old dirt road along BST. Jumps at night are a different - can't see the landing until you're about to launch.

I almost turfed it going down lower Corner Canyon. I was looking ahead around a corner and let my bike drift to the outside of the turn where the front wheel started sliding sideways on the other side of the berm. I unclipped the inside foot and slid it along expecting to go down at any moment as the front wheel either jack-knifed or washed out. But the wheel held and got back on the trail and away I went, but with half of my speed lost.

This was Mark's first night ride and he had a good time. Mike and Berkley were fun to ride with. Mark and Berkley only had lights on their handlebars so the turns were dicey. I had a light on my helmet and another on the bars and the illumination was good. Overall a fun, fun ride.

Today I did a little 12 mile road ride in Draper at lunch. The temperature was nice, but the wind was blowing pretty strong. Still felt good to get out.

Snow And Sushi

Woke up to snow this morning. Ryan, stay in Hawaii. I think we got more snow down here in Orem than JE did in SLC. Here's my daughter getting snow to eat.



This evening the UTRider family came over for sushi. I demonstrated the basic technique (not that I'm very good) and then we all built and ate sushi (and gyoza) until we were full. I made good on my promise to make some weird sushi - I present the hot dog and Cheetos roll with ketchup dipping sauce:



Fun experiment, but I won't be making this one again. Not spit-it-out bad, but definitely not good.

Night Ride Before The Storm

The forecast doesn't look good for tomorrow (Saturday) - Rain in the AM, snow possible in the benches in the afternoon, highs in the lower 40s, change of precipitation 80%. Today I felt much better but still kind of drained from the cold. But with the storm coming I decided I had to get out and ride while I could, even though it's already getting cold (50s).

When I got home I ate some dinner, got dressed (two jerseys, arm warmers, leg warmers, XC ski gloves and headband), mounted the lights (one on the helmet, another on the handlebars and a red blinky on the back) and pedaled for the foothills in the twilight.

I headed for Dry Canyon and chugged up the climbs OK. The handlebar light was acting up so I took it apart, tweaked the tube and put it back together and it was solid for the rest of the ride - nice! I headed down the BST and enjoyed this fun, cruiser single-track above the city. Twice I came across birds bedded down on the trail - spooked me a little. I also came across two dogs and a couple hiking up the trail with no lights - I guess the moonlight was enough.

At the trail end I went up the water tank dirt road then turned up Betty. I got winded more than usually but wanted to ride more so I went up Crank instead of heading down Roller Coaster. Starting up the first stiff climb but my clip came out so I went back down and tried it again and made it, but at the top of the gully I was panting hard and stopped to catch my breath. My throat felt tight - not sure if it was from the cold air or being sick. I continued on and made the rest of the climbs without stopping. I thought about heading down Firing Range, but decided not to gamble on a steep, loose downhill tonight, so I turned down Ireland. What a sweet downhill romp! Other than cold fingers it was over too soon.

Back on the water tank road I headed down and rolled back home. It felt good to get out on the bike. The lights worked great - I'm happy with how they performed. I would have liked to ride more, but I was hitting the limits of my recovery from the cold I caught on Wednesday. Still, I'm grateful to have these trails so close to home!

I thought about heading down to Moab to get in a ride and watch the poor souls grind out the laps at 24 Hours of Moab in what's forecast to be some rather unfriendly weather. But I'm staying home instead.

BONUS:

This play on words and ideas made me laugh - Dream CAPTCHA.



But wait, that's not all!

Enjoy this literal version of the popular 80's "Take On Me" music video:

Me Sick, Wife Rides

No ride today because I'm home with a cold. My wife took advantage of the opportunity and went for a ride with Kendra while I held down the fort (from bed). I would have done the same and I'm glad she got to ride, but still it's a bit of salt in the wound.

On the way up American Fork Canyon they stopped to say hello to Elden (FatCyclist) who was riding up the road - wearing the new 2009 FatCyclist jersey and probably on his new dingle-speed. Sorry, Elden. I reprimanded her for stopping you on the climb and she has been sentenced to deliver you a home-made dessert of your choosing (I suggest the chocolate chip cookies) - I hope you are appeased by this judgment and my promise that this will not happen again. OK, just kidding around here, but the dessert offer still stands.

They rode the classic Timpooneke loop and enjoyed the ride (Kendra's report). Here are some photos, because I enjoy torturing myself:

My favorite picture.


Snow in the peaks with Fall colors down lower (worth seeing larger, click on the picture).


The joy I could have had - curse this cold!


We're both fans of orange-tinted sunglasses, finding it to be the best balance of light attenuation and detail enhancement. Here's what autumn leaves look like with the sunglasses:


... and without:


I'm hoping I get well soon as I'm anxious to ride before the next storm hits this weekend - just in time to make things miserable at 24 Hours of Moab (sorry guys).

Bike Stickers

The last two days I've gone for road rides at lunch. It's been a little cooler, but still sunny and pleasant. It felt good to get out, but my legs feel like they've lost some punch - the dreaded end of season taper.

Tonight I did something impulsive. I'm not big on stickers, but I put two new ones on my car bringing the total to three. I've had this Moab sticker in the rear window for a few years.



I added this TwinSix BIKE NERD sticker to the other corner. Elden handed these out at his TriathAlon this year and it's been sitting in my glove box. The BIKE NERD phrase first hit me as silly. Later I wondered if it was demeaning to cyclists. But lately I've embraced the idea. Stereotypically nerds are guys way into computers. But in the broader sense a nerd is someone who is deep into anything. And while I don't eat, sleep and breathe cycling, I'm really into it so I might as well testify (and it matches my car's paint).



And finally I added this Cannondale sticker to the upper center, in front of the middle brake light (is that a sticker faux paux?). I'm not a Cannondale fan like some people are Ford zealots, but my last two bikes have been C'dales and they fit me well and ride good, so why not proclaim my enthusiasm with a little sticker love?.



Tomorrow I'm taking the mountain bike for a ride after work - probably with the Bike Peddler group up Hog Hollow, but I may use the lights for an evening ride up American Fork Canyon instead.