Category: Blog Posts

A week ago I scored a decent deal online for a cyclocross frame and since then I have been trying to piece together a rag tag cyclocross bike so I can compete in the Missoula Cyclocross Series this fall. My Fetish frame arrived yesterday and I spent the night putting what parts that would fit off my road bike. So what I have now is a frame, deraileurs, crank, pedals, and cable guide. That is it! Looks like this project will be a little larger than I originally thought. Feel free to comment!

My first impression of the frame is that it feels real heavy and I don’t mean just a little bit. Also the paint job has a lot to be desired. The decals are not stuck on correctly. All this can be expected though for a frame that costs $199.00.

Today I am expecting a shipment from Price Point which only includes things that I can not put on the bike yet. Small piddley things! Tomorrow I am hoping for the fork but what ties it all together is going to be the freehub body and the headset. These Items are coming from AirBomb.Com .

AirBomb is shaping up to be the big disappointment in this project. I ordered on September 6th which was 6 days ago. It still has not shipped! I emailed support and they said that I would not get charged until they get the stuff together and it ships out. I check on their ship status page (which they claim that the order was placed the 9th) and it says that the shipment will go out in 3 to 6 days.

So that is about it and the cash flow is out of commission. It looks like some miscellaneous parts will have to come out of grocery money. Excuse to diet, right? The latest cash flow stopper the vehicle which is currently sitting at the apartment leaking oil after blowing a gasket or something last night.

Hello from Break Espresso (a more expensive break now!) where I have to my right a big cinnamon roll and to my left a cup of coffee. Out the window the sun has started to light up downtown Missoula and the foot traffic is bustling in preparation for the Farmers Market. I am sitting here thinking that my knee is not ready for this weekend. This weekend is the final race in the MORS series and the Montana state championship (NORBA). This week I have been suffering tendonitis in the left knee and as of last night the participation in Sundays cross country race is in question.

A tendon is a tough yet flexible band of fibrous tissue. The tendon is the structure in your body that connects your muscles to the bones. The skeletal muscles in your body are responsible for moving your bones, thus enabling you to walk, jump, lift, and move in many ways. When a muscle contracts it pulls on a bone to cause movements. The structure that transmits the force of the muscle contraction to the bone is called a tendon. ~orthopedics.about.com

I woke up Friday morning and it quickly became apparent that I could not walk. I know that when I went to bed the night before it felt sore and I was wondering at what point did the injury occur. I think it was Wednesday when I jumped off my bike to try a run-up Cyclocross style while out on a ride. I felt a little something in my knee then. Thursday night I put a little heat on it and maybe that was a mistake. So I guess I will call it tendonitis!

So this is marks a great start on the Cyclocross season. I have been anticipating this year and have a new frame and parts on there way as I blog. I have not received the parts or the frame yet but next week should prove to be exciting. It has been almost ten years since I Cyclocross. I wonder if old age and Cyclocross is a good mixture or not. It is cross season every one!

So now I head out to get supplies and drive off to Helena. When I get there I will make the big decision … To ride or not to ride! That is the question.

Hello from my apartment in Missoula where I sit enjoying (as much as you can do before a stressful job) a cup of coffee. I am about to get up and start breakfast preparations. Before I do that I thought I would blog my latest project … a Cyclocross bike. This fall I want to do the Cyclocross series here in Missoula . So out goes my road bike and most of its parts will be going on the psycho bike.

A bike should start with a frame and that is where this saga begins. I spent most of the day labor Day scouring the web for a Cyclocross bike buy. All seemed hopeless until I remembered a frame company that I read about called Fetish Cycles . I went to their site and found that their Cyclocross bike was $800.00. So much for that idea.

Their Cyclocross frame is called Ankh . I don’t know what that means and maybe I don’t want to.

Our newest frame the ankh, is the vamp of Cyclocross from our custom Double-butted aluminum, this frame is made to take any abuse you can imagine Or create the sculptured top tube is designed for rigidity and shock absorption. Compatible with disc and v-brakes, the ankh will allow the tire of your dreams. It will accept a 45mm wide tire with plenty of room for mud to pass. The new fetish Cycles ankh is a lush ride that will never disappoint.

I found someone on ebay selling this frame brand new for $199.00 so I placed the bid. I had a very uneasy feeling at this idea but it was too late. I never won an item before just used the Buy Now feature. I won the bid.

So that is where this story begins, with the frame. Here are the parts I must scrape together (If anyone has some used that I can buy off them let me know):

• fork (Cyclocross)
• cantilever brakes
• cables/housings
• shifter/brake (possibly handle bar mount shifters … or grip shift)
• stem (don’t know yet, maybe not)
• headset (don’t know yet, maybe not)
• bar tape

Today’s race at the Bitterroot Resort, aimed to boost real estate sales on Tom McClay’s property, was the penultimate event in the MORS Series. Despite the light smoke and a grueling climb, the race felt short for beginners, only a 20-minute lap. The expert trail led us through McClay’s land to the Forest Service boundary on Carlton Ridge, including a “bushwhack” section humorously dubbed “Old School” by the race director. After a mid-mountain climb, we rushed down to the finish. Despite the course’s rough edges, it was my kind of challenge—an 8-mile ascent followed by a 3-mile climb. I thrived, finishing 7th, with hopes of improving my initial pacing to compete among the leaders. This race, a true test of fitness, sets the stage for next week’s series finale in Helena and the upcoming cyclo-cross season.

Hey from Break Espresso, savoring a muffin and coffee! Just set up a page to gather Missoula’s favorite trails. Came back from Lone Peak Revenge, part of the Montana Off-Road Series, and, well, finished nearly last due to a bike issue.

My bike frame got here Friday, but it lacked some bits, especially the unique seat post clamp. Had to improvise with parts from my K2. During the race, this makeshift fix failed, and I ended up walking part of the course. Luckily, an official lent me a tool, and after some repairs, I managed to enjoy the last two laps. This course was a true mountain bike challenge, with tough climbs and stunning views at Big Sky. We’re thinking of camping there next year for the event.

Next is a dilemma. Next weekend’s race in Missoula is tangled with controversies. Found out the organizer, possibly a real estate agent, plans to hold it at a controversial ski area site on Lolo Peak. I’ve openly criticized this development before. Worse still, the series seems funded by the developer, hence the resort’s name on our number plates. My friends and I are torn. Participating could mean compromising our stance. I’m considering racing in a “Save Lolo Peak” shirt as a form of protest. What would you do in my shoes? Totally frustrated with these people exploiting our community. Thoughts?

Description: I was riding my Leader USA mountain bike on a rocky jeep trail when the seat suddenly fell back. The frame broke on the upper part of the seat tube where the top tube, seat stays, and seat tubes are joined. Here is the timeline on my situation with Leader Bike USA. Comments and Suggestions are welcome!

Monday, August 14, 2006 – 8:50 AM MST: Emailed Leader Bike about incident.

“I have a bad situation and I hope you can help me. I purchased a LD-526H (item IES24) around 5/3/2006. The transaction ID on my PayPal Packing Slip is 04107051VU793181N. I was riding in prepairation for an upcoming race in the Montana Off Road Series yesterday and the seat stay broke. It is not a result of a crash … just a normal rocky trail. I sat down and heard a crack. Next thing I know my seat post and seat fell back and I dumped the bike. I am now without a bike. What should I do? I will be calling when business hours comes around and just wanted to send you some info in preparation.“

Monday, August 14, 2006 – 9:?? AM MST: Realized that I could not call long distance so i sent another email asking if they had a toll free number.

Monday, August 14, 2006 – 9:4? AM MST: Called Leader Bike with a friends cell phone and got voice mail. Left a message with both work and home phone numbers.

Monday, August 14, 2006 – 12:59 AM MST: Got an email back from Leader Bike

“Ship the frame back with proof of purchase. Include an explanation for the damage, return address and telephone number.

Ship to:

LEADER BIKE
205 W 35TH ST STE. J
NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950

CHRIS“

Monday, August 14, 2006 – 7:45 PM MST: Took bike apart, took pictures, and packaged up the bike. Post office is closed tonight so will take over at lunchtime or have a friend do it tomorrow. I replied to email from Leader Bike”

“I have packaged it up in it’s original box. I have not had it too long. I do not have a proof of purchase except an order id of 12 on 16:09:51 Tue 02 May 2006 so I sent along the packing slip. I mean I purchased it with a credit card so there should be a record somewhere. Please keep me informed, I cant tell you how frustrated I am. “

Monday, August 14, 2006 – 8:04 PM MST: Got an email from Leader Bike

“Also include attention warranty dept.

You can find proof of purchase on www.paypal.com“

Tuesday, August 15, 2006 – 8:43 AM MST: I feel a little frusturated and need to send an email in return with my concernes.

“I am sorry but I have already boxed it up and also don’t have a printer. I will include “attention warranty dept” on the box. I am not going to quibble over original owner and whether you want to warranty it or not.

Maybe it will be faster and less stressful to buy another bike frame and be done with it. I am sending pictures and if you believe there will be any discrepancy or delay in getting me a replacement then please let me know ASAP so I can take action to get another.

I was currently top ten in the Montana Off Road Series and after this weekend and missing the race will drop substantially. I am frustrated with that; but if I have to miss the week after that I might as well call the season over.

You may believe I am being a cheap ass but I assure you I am freaking poor and trying to race on a shoe string budget … thus the reason for a Leader Frame. I hope you can help.”

Tuesday, August 15, 2006 – 1:?? AM MST: A representative from Leader USA called me at work to get the scoop on what happened and where we are at right now. I gave my story and that I sent the frame in. He assured me that as soon as it gets in he will rush it along and get me resolved quickly. he mentioned that it may be as early as Saturday that they could get this resolved and back out the door. I am very happy to hear that and feel good that they called me to make sure everything was ok.

Saturday, August 19, 2006 – 12:00 PM MST: I have missed a race today. Instead I may have lost position in the Montana Off Road Series in the top ten.

Monday, August 21, 2006 – 6:54 AM MST: I am concerned that I have no recent information on the status of my mountain bike frame so I sent Leader USA an email:

“Chris, Brian,

Hello, I hope you had a decent weekend. I have not heard any news on my mountain bike frame and was wondering the status on it.“

Mon, August 21, 2006 12:38 pm: I received a response to my email:

“I will check with the warranty dept and get back to you today.

Brian”

Mon, August 21, 2006 6:00 pm: I received a message on my answering machine when I got home from work. Leader USA said that they are sending me out a new frame and I think he said that I would get an email with the tracking numbers. I could not hear the message well.

Wed, August 23, 2006 8:47 pm: I am depressed and upset to not receive my frame yet. I got a call on Monday that I would receive tracking numbers and to this day have not heard or received any other correspondance from Leader USA. Tomorrow I am going to go on the offensive. I have waited for the company to do the right thing and now I am on the verge of missing a second race. I will miss a second Montana Off Road series race where I was once in the top ten. This is unacceptable and I will try and contact them tomorrow.

Thursday, August 24, 2006 6:15AM: I sent a email to Leader USA (I sure wish they had a toll free number):

“Brian,

Hello, I hate to bug you again but I am getting close to missing yet another race (48 hours away) and I haven’t received the replacement frame yet. I got a message on my answering machine on Monday and I think the person said that I would receive a tracking number or something to that effect. I have not received anything after that. So I guess I was wondering if you could give me a status. I am leaving tomorrow for the race so I need to know if I should go looking for a used frame in town tonight. Thanks!”

Thursday, August 24, 2006 – 5:17 PM: I just got home to not find a bike at my steps. I tried to email today without getting a response. I am afraid they are in the ignore mode and my bike may not have been sent. there fore tomorrow I will be going into town some where to buy a frame
with the credit card. This also means that I may miss the race on Saturday. Next week I will begin a campaign to let every review site and ebay know these events. I would hate for this to happen to another mountain biker.

Friday, August 25, 2006 – 6:58 AM I sent Leader Bike a final email:

“Brian,

I have sent an email yesterday concerning my broken frame. I did not get a reply. It is now apparent I may miss tomorrow’s race (thats 2 now) if I can not find a bike frame here in Missoula today. I did get a phone message last Monday but it was hard to hear it (Shitty phone). I think the person said it was shipping Monday and I would receive a tracking number. I did not receive any tracking number or the frame itself.

I have decide to buy another frame to try and salvage what is left of the season. Thanks for your efforts.

~bill”

8/25/2006 : 1:46 PM: I went home for lunch and found a message on my answering machine. It was a guy from Leader Bike. He said that he tried to call my employment and was told I don’t work there anymore (I did send contact info on the 15th in an email). I find this odd because they have talked to me at work before. Any way he said that he did some research and found my current employment but the secretary was not very helpful and that he finally left a voice mail. I ran back to work and did not get a voicemail but the secretary said that someone called and wanted an extension. She was directed to not give any information away so the attempt to contact me failed.

The message did say that the bike is scheduled to be delivered today and gave me a tracking number. I tried the tracking number but it did not work.

I sent a request in an email (I wish I had long distance or could call from work):

“I got your message on my home phone but I could not run the tracking number that I think I heard you say “1ZANS5490350359533″. Is that correct?”

8/25/2006 : 2:57 PM: I just got a call from S. Lombroso at Leader USA. All the problems have been resolved. he was able to give me a tracking number and when I entered it I was able to see that it was delivered to my apartment at 1:13 PM which makes me very happy. Now I can go home and get the ol gal back together and try to make it to Bozeman for the race.

On problem was that some employees were out of the offices and that is why I was having difficulties contacting them. The bike had been shipped out on Tuesday.

I woke this morning trying to get my bearings and now I think I know what day it is. It is the only day I look forward to all week. That is why fall is such a depressing time for me as the Thursday Night Rides finish up the riding season. We are not there quite yet and tonight we ride in the Sawmill Gulch area. I call tonight’s ride Rainy Day Solution.

This work week has been horrendous and I have been so stressed that I forgot about the adventure last weekend. This week is the last I get to spend with my friends from New York. I really think I would like to go back with them and leave all this stress behind.

This weekend is up in the air and I am afraid it will be dominated by job stress. What a shame … what are you planning?

I am sitting in my apartment sipping down a cup of coffee (french vanilla silk). I am coming to life after a restless night of sleep. My friend and I’ll have decided to head to the Mission Mountains today for a back packing trip. I do believe that we are planning the be in the Panorama Peak area.

What does this mean? Well I am charging the camera battery as I blog because I need to dust off my picture taking abilities for this trip. We are heading into a awesome area for beauty and magnificence.

I just turned off the TV and the coffee has begun its work. I have everything I need to sustain myself in the wilderness spread out on the floor and I need to start packing it into the back pack. It is amazing that it will all fit. the only part I don’t like is adjusting to hiking with 50 plus extra pounds on my back.

Have a good weekend everyone and feel free to communicate!

A proposed Montana forest plan revision could set a dangerous national precedent by closing hundreds of miles of singletrack to bicycles. Montana’s Bitterroot, Flathead and Lolo National Forests are recommending a new policy that will ban bicycles from trails in many roadless areas where access is currently allowed.

More than 400 miles of trail in seven roadless areas near Missoula are at risk, including many epic routes cherished by local cyclists. Some of the best trails include Heart Lake, Monture Creek, Bluejoint Creek and Blodgett Canyon. The Great Burn area alone contains 139 miles of singletrack that will be made off-limits to bicycles.

Unless cyclists take action, the Forest Service will zone these lands as “Recommended Wilderness,” and will ban bicycles. Although most national forests around the country allow existing uses such as mountain biking to continue in Recommended Wilderness, the Bitterroot, Flathead and Lolo will not, thus setting a dangerous precedent.

Take Action!

Tell the Forest Service that you support continued access to the great trails in Recommended Wilderness in the Bitterroot, Flathead and Lolo National Forests.

If you prefer to mail your comments, the following address covers all three forests:
Proposed Land Management Plan Bitterroot National Forest 1801 North 1st St. Hamilton, MT 59840

Deadline

The Forest Service will accept comments until August 7, 2006.

Talking Points

• Mountain bikers support the permanent conservation of Montana’s roadless areas from development and road building. However, if Recommended Wilderness will ban bicycles from the places we love to ride, please use the Forest Service’s “2.2 Backcountry Area” prescription to protect natural resources and allow continued bicycle use.
• The “2.2 Backcountry Area” prescription should be used to protect the following proposed Recommended Wilderness areas: Great Burn (Lolo), Monture Creek (Lolo), Quigg (Lolo) and Stony Mountain (Bitterroot and Lolo). In the Blodgett Canyon (Bitterroot) and Blue Joint (Bitterroot) areas it should at least be used to create corridors containing trails #19, 137, 303, 614 and 627 – favorite mountain bike routes.
• National Forests in Regions 2, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 allow bikes in Recommended Wilderness. In neighboring Idaho and Wyoming, this includes at least the Bighorn, Boise, Caribou, Medicine Bow, Payette, Sawtooth and Targhee National Forests.
• All forms of recreation should be managed objectively through science-based decisions. Mountain biking is a quiet, human-powered, low-impact activity compatible with wild places. Science shows that bicycles have similar impacts as hiking and far less than equestrian or motorized use.
• The Forest Service doesn’t have to kick mountain bikes out of places they’ve been riding for years. Bicycles do not harm the land’s potential for future Wilderness consideration and their continued use of Recommended Wilderness areas should be allowed.

What were you doing today in years past?

I don’t know how to explain it but I feel the need to express. I am picking up camp, half dancing and half high on Zen.

I woke up feeling new with wildflowers greeting me and the stream singing me awake. I took pictures until the batteries went dead and broke bread with the sunrise. Marcy is bouncing around like a puppy and I dance to my music twirling in the sunlight. It is a good day.

This camping spot is magnificent. I felt the need to express.

I just finished off a gigantic plate of pasta and fresh parmesan cheese. Camp is all set up and I am just about to hit the sack. It is a comfy 45 degrees and I am leaving off the fly so I can drift off to sleep under the stars. The King of the Hill race is tomorrow and I am all set to race.

I took it easy today and got to the Showdown Ski Area around 7:30 p.m. Ross rode with me from Helena and that made the trip a lot more enjoyable.

I pre rode the course and the entire loop took me about 30 minutes. It is a real short loop and tomorrows race should be real short provided I don’t crash.

The downhill sections are real dangerous so I am concerned about my friends. I don’t expect a good result because it is short and I am taking the down hills extremely tentatively.

So signing off from camp where all I hear is the rushing stream right beside my tent. Pleasant dreams!