Cyclist...Not Biker

CNB Podcast Ep 7 Is Up!

Listen to it here:

https://anchor.fm/TACOPASTORIUS/embed/episodes/CNB-Ep-7-Grinding-About-Gravel-Worlds-e22hjv

CNB Podcast Ep 6: Team Pink Taps Out

On today’s episode of the CNBPC, I welcome back Guitar Ted for a 24 Hours Of Cumming race recap, some other bike talk, and a solid Mangioning.  Prepare to be entertained.

Listen Here.

And as always, ride your bike.

CNB

It’s A Podcast! Ep5: Guitar Ted Talk

A lot of times I fail at things, we all do, but this time I really ate it.  I’ve never mentioned on the BLOG that this is also a PODCAST.  That’s right, you can tune your eyes to a totally different whatever and listen to all the nonsense you would normally be reading, albeit without the editing and restraint. It gets a little NSFW here and there.

This past week I participated in the 24 Hours Of…

New Blog at Cyclist Not Biker: Dirticorn!

Long time no whatever!  I hope that everyone is kicking a bunch of butts-on-bikes out there in the finally-not-winter weather.  Central Iowa has been a veritable wonderland of snowless cycling enjoyment. I’ve personally been able to get into the 200+ miles-per-week range finally, it’s been super rad to get some real miles in!

Quite a few new developmentshave uh…developed since my last post. I’ve…

New Blog Post at CNB: Oh Hey.

What’s up everyone?  Hopefully you are all getting your miles in and having a great time, regardless of our never ending winter of doom.  I know I speak for most of the midwestern cyclists (and most other people here also) when I say Mother Nature needs to show a little more kindness to us outdoors type folks.  I had a great time riding in all kinds of crap weather this winter, but GODDAMNIT…

New Post at cyclistnotbiker.com: Writing Gravel!

The good folks over at RidingGravel.Com have a site full of useful information for those of us who prefer rocks to road.  It’s a solid resource for thorough new gear reviews, very important as gravel supplies are not cheap, bike news, events, and a very active and what is probably my favorite forum.  RGDC is home to a few of my my favorite people, Guitar Ted and MG, and a few other folk I hope to…

New post at CNB: Another CIRREM, another excuse!

Yes, I realize that we are only two hours into the actual race, and that even though the conditions are pretty decent (aside from some serious wind), nobody is finishing in two hours.  I mean, some people may be finished at this point, but the finish line is still devoid of whatever you call those people who cross the blah blah blah blah.  Yeah, whatever that whole things was. Last year I…

New Blog Post at CyclistNotBiker.com FRESH AF GRAVEL RACE TIPS AND TRICKS!

Some race for the glory of the podium.  Some race for the thrill and challenge.  A lot of us are just racing the cutoff times and for the satisfaction of a strong DFL* finish.  I am a one of those types who tends to live in that neighborhood of riders that cause checkpoints to be staffed until the very last minute, a place called The Back Of The Pack. The Back Of The Pack isn’t a glorious place,…

Sinewave Cycles Beacon: First Look, new post at cyclistnotbiker.com

Sinewave Cycles Beacon mounted on my Salsa Cycles Fargo Ti for testing Hi, my name is Sam, and I’m a Dynoholic.  (group: Hi, Sam) Today I’m here to tell my story of Dynoholism to help some of you out there who may be struggling with this sickness (or wanting to develop it) too.  I’ve spent many years searching out the perfect light to pair with both my hub of choice (always Schmidt SON28, fyi),…

New Blog Post at CyclistNotBiker.com

I recently decided to bring my Salsa Fargo out of retirement, the poor babe has been hanging on the basement wall for over a year with no rides.  It needed a tune, some cleaning, was getting some new-to-it wheels from the Warbird (which was getting sold), and it definitely needed new bar tape.  I had been running the same orange Lizard Skinz 2.5 tape on the Ragley Luxy bars since the bike was…

So I’m back in the saddle and spending less time at The Saddle, and with no goal but to have a good time while riding bikes.  I’ve ridden three of my bikes for about 10 hours the last week, seen dozens of friends that I haven’t seen in forever, and had a really fun time. Alas that goal of no goals lasted about a week, of course, and I have a new thing that I’m dreaming up for myself (and maybe…

The phrase “back in the saddle” has a few connotations, it could mean back on the bike, a horse, you’re an aspiring Steven Tyler, and due to my geographic proximity to The Greatest Gay Bar In The Universe, it could mean I’m back at the Blazing Saddle.  Come to think of it, I have spent more time in the Saddle than in the saddle (bike) over the last 3+ months due to things like working and also…

I’m OVER IT.

Warning: I’m pissed. Last night I took my first ride in a few weeks to check out the newly reopened Grand Ave Bridge.  The bridge, a main thoroughfare between the East Village and the Court Ave district, has been closed for over a year, and those of us with businesses or residences downtown have been patiently awaiting this opening day.  I mounted up on Pink and hopped a block south to the new…

The Day SRAM Failed Me

Those of you who took the time to read about my little gravel travel on Pink last week will probably remember the part where my SRAM Rival 1 crank arm pedal threads gave out after a whopping 35 miles of use.  Here’s the continuation of that story… 35 Miles of use. SRAM says “NOPE” to replacing. VERY COOL. It took me a while to get the pedal out of the crank arm, I was dumbfounded by the whole…

It’s been a pretty rough year for cycling here at CNB.  Injuries, mechanicals, work, family stuff, more injuries, blogging, extreme heat, and other assorted crap have gotten in the way of enjoying the normal amount of time that would normally spent in the saddle.  I’ve lost a bunch of weight and started making much healthier choices, but The Fitness Train hasn’t pulled into the terminal yet.  Now…

Eat Em & Smile – Pink’s First Gravel

Pink FINALLY got to see some gravel travel.  I was not feeling super great, but it was 78 out and a mild W/SW wind, perfect conditions for doing the Booneville route up to Adel, then back into town for a beer at 515 Brewing.  The ride started out at a nice easy pace, this was just to be a fun spin on familiar gravel to test out the whole 650b/1×11 setup.  The fit was the first thing to make…

Project Pink: First Rolling Look

Today was a momentous day.  Morning. Project Pink has stepped into phase whatever, aka the “it rolls” phase.  I did a little initial ride around downtown which included some bike lane, my favorite pedestrian bridge, a bit of levee/dirt riding, and a quick stop on my second favorite pedestrian bridge for a photograph. That’s a good looking whip. Here are my initial thoughts: The Twin Six Standard…