tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207474602024-03-05T09:39:26.550-08:00Bottom Bracket BikingCycling adventures of the original Bottom Bracket Biking Team of One...that's me.Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-74482097111075146892022-11-12T11:22:00.000-08:002022-11-12T11:22:07.383-08:00My Bike Addiction<p>Addictions can be good or bad...I have yet to determine if my habitual bike buying/selling addiction is good or bad. Some people seem very content with one bike forever...not me, I want to try the newest stuff all the time. I've spent both time and money discovering what works for me and what is plainly useless for me...I found I hate the so called "gravel" bikes; I still prefer a mountain bike and flat bars on gravel any day (just as I have been doing since the I started riding mountain bikes in the mid-1980s. I've also found that my preference in fat bikes is narrower fat tires (yes that is paradoxical) and I prefer very a specific geometry (which most manufacturers don't make). </p><p>In the last few years major increases in pricing has definitely forced me to choose bikes and parts that I would want to keep long term vs. try them out. I thought I was on a roll with my Chumba bikes...I was rather determined to make the titanium Chumba Stella a long term, do everything ride...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGe1QaBB9uvjdLvDouPvdeQfmcZut6ZDoi1nKxU4NrTnR4zfF5FrwDfygXFm2CMPhdO6HTMpoqybwigxVIzWSq0slF_o0dcK4_xY9eYWfnMhG4DZTmeyGNwAXG3IX_8CH7FXTjusiElSBeYGVsbBg2Ygs6bQJsjaOodZ6kBlXFLUa8XYxpo-8/s4032/IMG_1108.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGe1QaBB9uvjdLvDouPvdeQfmcZut6ZDoi1nKxU4NrTnR4zfF5FrwDfygXFm2CMPhdO6HTMpoqybwigxVIzWSq0slF_o0dcK4_xY9eYWfnMhG4DZTmeyGNwAXG3IX_8CH7FXTjusiElSBeYGVsbBg2Ygs6bQJsjaOodZ6kBlXFLUa8XYxpo-8/w480-h640/IMG_1108.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">But then I "needed" a steel Chumba Sendero for single speed only use and during my wait for the Sendero and older Engin custom steel frame pinged the radar and so it ended up in my shop. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWxzo8P8CpJhHe7fBB8aTueSGrYq6IfXB6P91ppxCwcg-Kk9pSEYydL8xRpgJ_7r1ZL0PPD7rSCHqeG9zX7TCqr_p-ox3YihiKWYWh_vgik3gre6DvvpDFLfVqHpquWdGZlmeK_em_YSsxEdCtcNsZqDw1hYno2G3QKpM0jcsfnoRSwwafgw/s4032/IMG_1819.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWxzo8P8CpJhHe7fBB8aTueSGrYq6IfXB6P91ppxCwcg-Kk9pSEYydL8xRpgJ_7r1ZL0PPD7rSCHqeG9zX7TCqr_p-ox3YihiKWYWh_vgik3gre6DvvpDFLfVqHpquWdGZlmeK_em_YSsxEdCtcNsZqDw1hYno2G3QKpM0jcsfnoRSwwafgw/w480-h640/IMG_1819.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Then the Sendero arrived a few months later. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U2G9t9YxBzaothUcMSLSVGbpS5ziOVW_UDPpP1KmFc8KqZplleQau1J8L4Ocyo497tIQixxKG80-G-lM6R8YuonkndzR_PnO8FNiZ85v3kvyWdETuJ6lbOeWCbiUxyAwSBaxbl1tUELRTKCBHzmSXl5H5QWEwJYu2SaRAFM9cuPakE0Lcps/s4032/IMG_1614.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U2G9t9YxBzaothUcMSLSVGbpS5ziOVW_UDPpP1KmFc8KqZplleQau1J8L4Ocyo497tIQixxKG80-G-lM6R8YuonkndzR_PnO8FNiZ85v3kvyWdETuJ6lbOeWCbiUxyAwSBaxbl1tUELRTKCBHzmSXl5H5QWEwJYu2SaRAFM9cuPakE0Lcps/w480-h640/IMG_1614.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Everything was good, I was all set for a long time with what I had, but the radar pinged again on a used Funk La Ruta 29+ for a decent price (something I've wanted since 2016 when I first saw one but the frame price was always just too much for me to buy one). And as expected the La Ruta hit my shop. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9Q14D0dYL9t1hQJkLLoSGiYouD1K4URTXP5qN3UXZm61xeS2qwOBi67rR1ucBrNROEYNk2N61QZkL0MaBdO4q1n0ldYUXLspmXIH65MHOcgOylDY5gR2Kpakz4ezKMG8Pza-SI1IMUI7_s-4LGRIoUhBzNuw7nwHhugxrujkUtXR8CCTaLA/s4032/IMG_1975.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9Q14D0dYL9t1hQJkLLoSGiYouD1K4URTXP5qN3UXZm61xeS2qwOBi67rR1ucBrNROEYNk2N61QZkL0MaBdO4q1n0ldYUXLspmXIH65MHOcgOylDY5gR2Kpakz4ezKMG8Pza-SI1IMUI7_s-4LGRIoUhBzNuw7nwHhugxrujkUtXR8CCTaLA/w480-h640/IMG_1975.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Then the radar pinged once more and a Waltworks custom steel fat bike showed up at my shop. BOOM...I went from some sort of self control and contentment to over abundance. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpAl7dRAsWVuE90X3m-DgeRZs4rOwnQ3gFv5NeiZ63Y0QK9l9jue-fCO_06UDNADEiFaGbgc-9F6XnfSaQk4pF1gnk-ysRhvsEyj8k5h8D1_178oVBnluB97XTIy3JWRRcOWe-EHvT0dzBoFkA6XA-L8F927-RsbdmBlb0qBoPLTjHIx3eps/s4032/IMG_2062.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpAl7dRAsWVuE90X3m-DgeRZs4rOwnQ3gFv5NeiZ63Y0QK9l9jue-fCO_06UDNADEiFaGbgc-9F6XnfSaQk4pF1gnk-ysRhvsEyj8k5h8D1_178oVBnluB97XTIy3JWRRcOWe-EHvT0dzBoFkA6XA-L8F927-RsbdmBlb0qBoPLTjHIx3eps/w480-h640/IMG_2062.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>My poor wife can't keep up with what I have and sometimes starts looking a little google eyed at me when a box is delivered or something appears amiss in the colors hanging on the "bike wall" or when her bike is in a new position. </p><p>The Engin arrived in March and is a super smooth dreamy ride for a rigid bike. It has an older geometry with I am partial to for gravel and forest road/trail riding. I smile every time I ride it and in fact started choosing it over my titanium Chumba Stella since the Engin is waaayyy smoother to ride. The Stella has a lot less "give" due to the thickness of the titanium tube it is made with (not all titanium tubing is friendly to ride compliance). The steel Chumba Sendero also had a nicer ride quality than the Stella but I was not overly happy with the feel of the Sendero geometry. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWEEQKwZd1j-e4dSVTlhxhX6u-8HLrdEW0oRrkGN55fQYbOvELj99iO2doY4CLvSIfDRCJcMrA6WPsZiPfyHegKeGSEkp_bz7TBYdP8tG_wSsC73yvplyQE-JwnThpIO5ujtfA1mQ6Mf1EALiSaqRIm6G0KuitBJvkNBzhDsd3icn-4NsWdI/s3512/IMG_2004.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3512" data-original-width="2634" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWEEQKwZd1j-e4dSVTlhxhX6u-8HLrdEW0oRrkGN55fQYbOvELj99iO2doY4CLvSIfDRCJcMrA6WPsZiPfyHegKeGSEkp_bz7TBYdP8tG_wSsC73yvplyQE-JwnThpIO5ujtfA1mQ6Mf1EALiSaqRIm6G0KuitBJvkNBzhDsd3icn-4NsWdI/w480-h640/IMG_2004.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>The La Ruta ruined everything...a short travel full-suspension, light weight titanium frame that can be run as single speed and take up to 29x3.0" tires hit every possible interest for me. I set it up as a single speed with 3" tires...I wanted to hate it because I told myself that the Chumba bikes were all I needed and I was sure the rear suspension on the La Ruta would prove to be just as awful feeling as almost all of my past full suspension bikes. I've never kept a full suspension bike very long since with few exceptions they either feel inefficient or actually ride like a slug due to poor design.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkrc4X4DxpGvzpVWT4YnyMEC8Dzx0DiQOd0U2kP3hKUs0qSyGxDAI-GANz2BrgqMQKpX_z4XFNvFtm9XEVR4AENJnWo6Kr-Gf-vOZQ-Oxm6qUa8EMwLylpPpxVTVAqQfDecgdw93kOorJsgMpx6zsCqR1xFAB-1p0EPKP3yCLn2iIU6KD6CA/s4032/IMG_1912.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkrc4X4DxpGvzpVWT4YnyMEC8Dzx0DiQOd0U2kP3hKUs0qSyGxDAI-GANz2BrgqMQKpX_z4XFNvFtm9XEVR4AENJnWo6Kr-Gf-vOZQ-Oxm6qUa8EMwLylpPpxVTVAqQfDecgdw93kOorJsgMpx6zsCqR1xFAB-1p0EPKP3yCLn2iIU6KD6CA/w480-h640/IMG_1912.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Riding the La Ruta was dreamy smooth, pedaling is efficient even without the rear suspension locked out, it's light, corners well, goes up and down badass stuff amazingly well...I could not find a single dislike except that I would have designed the geometry a little different (like tuck the rear wheel in a bit more and slightly shorten the top tube). It made both Chumba bikes feel harsh and after a few months of debating with myself I sold both Chumba bikes and I'm currently very happy with what I have. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMNX_TB-DfgYuvbF2Yg6CjnRfpTMO1F1Sf0Zn3TUNO3XnHwCxspc2yO4nemkefn73S5kX3B0XHYUbXu8RQq-0Ne_cEiBAC4YnuIgGA5mIa3Cdq0oUFKieKWONJk8mEJV9nAINroN1hw_XJh4uSmaGAfuRAlSvK6Wdw99pBrliGyZnH2JlfJU/s4032/IMG_1969.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMNX_TB-DfgYuvbF2Yg6CjnRfpTMO1F1Sf0Zn3TUNO3XnHwCxspc2yO4nemkefn73S5kX3B0XHYUbXu8RQq-0Ne_cEiBAC4YnuIgGA5mIa3Cdq0oUFKieKWONJk8mEJV9nAINroN1hw_XJh4uSmaGAfuRAlSvK6Wdw99pBrliGyZnH2JlfJU/w480-h640/IMG_1969.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-67306536559575641332022-06-14T21:43:00.001-07:002022-06-14T21:44:02.873-07:00 Milestones This week passed 2-milestones: 1) It’s been 2-years since I survived a brain stem hemorrhage, 2) I turned 60. <div><img id="id_7473_d26a_279d_2269" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/erJ0OsnLPQCFDG9dVN2zkzKgVfnBEdVjZFveJtgwGlWqzQyoH7o4hvXNRN4jQxDUjBQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>I still have a few (permanent) side effects from the hemorrhage but nothing that stops me from living a good life. </div><div><img id="id_1227_dca7_74ab_b3b8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p2ir8UlOWuAHAxaU5-i2nnzy3F8TqP4ZRdghQa9BGeTMsJ2fLKPxsgT0jGMke_y5IFM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br>And as far as my age… well I certainly don’t feel 60, but to be honest I had a lot of preconceived false ideas of how the age 60 should be and feel. </div><div><br>I still prefer a single speed bike and mostly I opt for a rigid fork. I read about a lot of other people my age or less going the opposite way with age (more suspension and bigger gears or e-bike) which is fine…maybe I’ll trend that direction when I feel a need to (like when I’m almost 100). A few years ago I was faced with the reality of a near death experience…I’m happy to be here and I’m still willing to work for every moment I have left (just be aware that most if not all of my “work” is my enjoyment of life here). </div><div><br></div><div>My single speed e-bike…no suspension, no dropper post and powered only by me…</div><div><img id="id_8998_60c7_3e89_38a3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/P9ZtQpK8mgOtywd684IPNAxo89AMZ0fuBFzo2xPEqniOCJ7wXJrAGiryf_GWcy1g9kQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-11002118833001570172021-12-31T19:19:00.000-08:002021-12-31T19:19:28.515-08:00CHUMBA - Ice Biking the Year End<p> On December 1st I was riding in shorts over paths growing green grass (the deer and elk were happy) and my flowers were still blooming at home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPcOVGmPpL5uIxKYTOIUI70OIjWnzfMRbfO2JicQB1DaMY0aFUO38CU036Ys-cFo06zJbfkv67eb4IiS2VwzjhMS6yG5YuMCb4DUQndd9OcbJWe-akEnFXpJhlMfwIrxP320iN4bUdxARTYokCWfoMupoHTkBLCUdPGhO5A97Mg6z5OpY-1MI=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPcOVGmPpL5uIxKYTOIUI70OIjWnzfMRbfO2JicQB1DaMY0aFUO38CU036Ys-cFo06zJbfkv67eb4IiS2VwzjhMS6yG5YuMCb4DUQndd9OcbJWe-akEnFXpJhlMfwIrxP320iN4bUdxARTYokCWfoMupoHTkBLCUdPGhO5A97Mg6z5OpY-1MI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxELJhxIkSzDjIib_vqnU6kct-6cJY3ObzIjs7St22GbRIK_kZAYDnZ15F1tx3LDMPAnapDSvSayJ-VQ7vDPG6lQbOQgtmuSBfSqRCsMSc6EP-_9PfUP4q_3Di-StOlmlCiDvrnThq0bVvu13mKjptbXY-FLWksWzTYaq_vZuYh2vE92Rj2y8=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxELJhxIkSzDjIib_vqnU6kct-6cJY3ObzIjs7St22GbRIK_kZAYDnZ15F1tx3LDMPAnapDSvSayJ-VQ7vDPG6lQbOQgtmuSBfSqRCsMSc6EP-_9PfUP4q_3Di-StOlmlCiDvrnThq0bVvu13mKjptbXY-FLWksWzTYaq_vZuYh2vE92Rj2y8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYrxrpyrETPyx6KbekS7ZOmhcROnvPSmOni1v-Rw_pXMy6n5HksYfXrHJWsHt9jEvJvZmGtMJLOUOpYNffDAnYSuLADlv2zrMA4sa2qb1imfrv198Zv_SE558qB1ZDHkcyGoU2LGVu12rABhy234swMkUNcQ8mF3XZhxK810Fe4s7jsC8gwQA=s2876" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2876" data-original-width="2157" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYrxrpyrETPyx6KbekS7ZOmhcROnvPSmOni1v-Rw_pXMy6n5HksYfXrHJWsHt9jEvJvZmGtMJLOUOpYNffDAnYSuLADlv2zrMA4sa2qb1imfrv198Zv_SE558qB1ZDHkcyGoU2LGVu12rABhy234swMkUNcQ8mF3XZhxK810Fe4s7jsC8gwQA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But around here one thing is predictable: Snow will come...It did and has not stopped.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivuvXvgqi4D7B4_IzYJegg4dhDqvzdVJ9Vw11WexbCFy2QjM4jX8rXwrVC4rz7wQUE9Nn2sbcViyOQiaRkvLdtftVIkpNdvA7WKCQxBGBRNQiPln9_esOxOS0w2vqlb22w-Y5UCp4WV0EJ-rHrbi5IVcfzjgGKaUDWbToehHetD6Amh7K6WdE=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; 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text-align: left;">So the logical solution is snow tires, studs are even better considering the ice under the snow. I don't own a fat bike this year (only because the whole supply system is a little messed up and politicized on to top it all off) so there is no option other than my CHUMBA Stella. I've found it works quite well on the ice roads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3ziT2RIRwQQBfDYazdAIYjtgDkezXMWTU1fZne0gqdtSISq8GFxFSvfezDLiiyODTtyu9QAAgWixiL2r3K_C0dgrPU3Mq6G7yxm4c6-0WTmp5mF5sKlBf5KBXndrn2GGcF9v6eDoOD-VITJILoZTutPGrFcMo-tmK8tNMuw0QGr2WN9cA8sI=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3ziT2RIRwQQBfDYazdAIYjtgDkezXMWTU1fZne0gqdtSISq8GFxFSvfezDLiiyODTtyu9QAAgWixiL2r3K_C0dgrPU3Mq6G7yxm4c6-0WTmp5mF5sKlBf5KBXndrn2GGcF9v6eDoOD-VITJILoZTutPGrFcMo-tmK8tNMuw0QGr2WN9cA8sI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB_yQzvIXNLqu1LZmoyPzJDEYhWqVvhTmXU31sDmA_h39yJc3RBl7J0QwQI9RHcZfdqIiJozKRD-FMrmQkoavqbZ09ZIM5Xv0nY2CxpU9srf822LGMhLIta3EWWqK5iF1Bbb47omzCLPJ0b8PbWwthxhp6yUdxx-MYnKv0SasPYTv0BW8Z2Iw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB_yQzvIXNLqu1LZmoyPzJDEYhWqVvhTmXU31sDmA_h39yJc3RBl7J0QwQI9RHcZfdqIiJozKRD-FMrmQkoavqbZ09ZIM5Xv0nY2CxpU9srf822LGMhLIta3EWWqK5iF1Bbb47omzCLPJ0b8PbWwthxhp6yUdxx-MYnKv0SasPYTv0BW8Z2Iw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEho54uw4OvMhb1I2kpMLbBaasklpKBBbRhV79Jr8Q5joMKn0LKSQv4uYbqw6nLAMQcygpQRVYXhkpj2oNf2kZcLX7EQbqJRsTEkAE3BSfFTHGcRkPDhz8TK0JuyWn0qK3G0T0GoEy2tAjUVrPnOPzBbABxteZ_z9wSb6q4DeLuqGeJJ2WXLq-Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEho54uw4OvMhb1I2kpMLbBaasklpKBBbRhV79Jr8Q5joMKn0LKSQv4uYbqw6nLAMQcygpQRVYXhkpj2oNf2kZcLX7EQbqJRsTEkAE3BSfFTHGcRkPDhz8TK0JuyWn0qK3G0T0GoEy2tAjUVrPnOPzBbABxteZ_z9wSb6q4DeLuqGeJJ2WXLq-Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRmFMlBOtYN9LkCQ4aPOQKGfrKYCxGtuvcGh8eKDXo7yYB-TEljbXB4MWBD9xBIT9bUUYpKdCoFLYbFsqpNAoqO6Rf9YzXlYrD8vCPPnVK1zQe1bjTMo6R4xlEXVmfSyjUXQ5GOPHjdvCBRmFsKmn84JN-dc4aZsoXHR7-71qJ4KEBzzoX494=s2952" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2952" data-original-width="2214" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRmFMlBOtYN9LkCQ4aPOQKGfrKYCxGtuvcGh8eKDXo7yYB-TEljbXB4MWBD9xBIT9bUUYpKdCoFLYbFsqpNAoqO6Rf9YzXlYrD8vCPPnVK1zQe1bjTMo6R4xlEXVmfSyjUXQ5GOPHjdvCBRmFsKmn84JN-dc4aZsoXHR7-71qJ4KEBzzoX494=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's temps are 60 degrees cooler than at the beginning of the month. Gone are the December flowers, green grass, budding trees...winter has arrived as expected. I hope that the new year will bring a little more "normal" back to this world, but I'm not counting on it considering the political situations worldwide. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUJLXCUn3-lAj2ur8lrPnSkXGPiGFWuEcQuQIdWJmSn6Me-JHClYa6mc0TF5sQ1JgoipbkY968m3RYCqHzZfT4mCIipmF4Equ70H8wAqSIRoFHQQmaYepSlqG3jxovBmVujGtG3QMIsa23uxTECQHT1_HwCpHuo8g9ha8y1vsdXaaP3_YN7Yk=s3171" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3171" data-original-width="2596" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUJLXCUn3-lAj2ur8lrPnSkXGPiGFWuEcQuQIdWJmSn6Me-JHClYa6mc0TF5sQ1JgoipbkY968m3RYCqHzZfT4mCIipmF4Equ70H8wAqSIRoFHQQmaYepSlqG3jxovBmVujGtG3QMIsa23uxTECQHT1_HwCpHuo8g9ha8y1vsdXaaP3_YN7Yk=w524-h640" width="524" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-58531312717938323782021-11-25T13:37:00.001-08:002021-11-25T13:37:42.802-08:00Single Speed - I can't get away from it<p>Single speed (SS) has been part of my biking life since I was a kid when by dad fixed up this old fat tire Schwinn. At first I was disappointed that I didn't get a smaller wheeled bike popular in the late 60's. Then I discovered that once I got that thing wound up that it was a rocket ship. No one could touch me on the famous salmon pink super cruiser. </p><p><br /></p><p>Fast forward to the early 2000's when on a whim I bought a Gary Fisher Rig SS 29er. That bike changed everything (again) and I've not been able to break away from single speed bikes since (even though I attempted to several times, I just keep going back). </p><p><br /></p><p>I successfully raced SS against geared bikes for quite a few years making many people whimper as I passed them with on a one geared wonder. I've had a lot of single speeds...I get rid of one thinking "I'll be faster on gears," or "Ooh Ahh, I need that (geared) bike..." only to go back again and again to SS. Well now I'm convinced that geared bikes can be fun and have a great place, nothing is better for me than a SS.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_bqZkM_q2gcjSePIRVgUW2K_wNMHpkKSCr1F-1m2QmFcX6tmEtll0BYS0rfyQuKHa6CkqUIcHqGrakHs-v3V3iTNJQZU8k07kQ-CHMs7FSSA3WsjVeKnh2FdFIZHd_x85Vq0Mg/s876/DevilSlide2009_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="876" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_bqZkM_q2gcjSePIRVgUW2K_wNMHpkKSCr1F-1m2QmFcX6tmEtll0BYS0rfyQuKHa6CkqUIcHqGrakHs-v3V3iTNJQZU8k07kQ-CHMs7FSSA3WsjVeKnh2FdFIZHd_x85Vq0Mg/s320/DevilSlide2009_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uKmSuZ-_ZMCICmWBFCg4muYCLh7FXxhr_0POwNIFtPwUQke7rQCK0s_hjzz6Lsn3YJeeFRwK9UIvomz74jKp_aBnpM9SDiyWhxJyOrqfIjSUMU5bTMviYAScDpkb-i7VkD1A_g/s720/SchmuckCX2011_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="482" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uKmSuZ-_ZMCICmWBFCg4muYCLh7FXxhr_0POwNIFtPwUQke7rQCK0s_hjzz6Lsn3YJeeFRwK9UIvomz74jKp_aBnpM9SDiyWhxJyOrqfIjSUMU5bTMviYAScDpkb-i7VkD1A_g/s320/SchmuckCX2011_5.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmg-JGMToWvOiuqdMtw_bDf2S9TIfjNLKSW5yGnF4fOOX1ob78GL0FIuZ6qgsbjv4wxzaz9zUS0h32FrR-k8p1Est0mzL9GIf7YIe4KXRaw3U9_O9fK4myrOIyq4ngT_zybxv5A/s1328/IMG_1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1328" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmg-JGMToWvOiuqdMtw_bDf2S9TIfjNLKSW5yGnF4fOOX1ob78GL0FIuZ6qgsbjv4wxzaz9zUS0h32FrR-k8p1Est0mzL9GIf7YIe4KXRaw3U9_O9fK4myrOIyq4ngT_zybxv5A/s320/IMG_1096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVQ0ItSML9sqcs-MkM8ylNFNBrplJ3trtmnq628vqs_OWuFUXqOnWvEDbuButagawiBHw6VdMJimNQ2dJbkIUBQ7nPdCslKZ0vnaoFQ_ukKUj97aZ9i6iX2DW7DwHDE2TUMVQZA/s2048/4BAB4CD7-5B0C-4B82-9E47-4C5AFB8AD4AC_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVQ0ItSML9sqcs-MkM8ylNFNBrplJ3trtmnq628vqs_OWuFUXqOnWvEDbuButagawiBHw6VdMJimNQ2dJbkIUBQ7nPdCslKZ0vnaoFQ_ukKUj97aZ9i6iX2DW7DwHDE2TUMVQZA/s320/4BAB4CD7-5B0C-4B82-9E47-4C5AFB8AD4AC_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uUZuppBQKT3eedMCmpOy8L9g-qXfmyx_0XwhlIPhjMApgmB0lW6y7HLODSyt3s-Atepi9u9sLoYbN34-ZO4zISqdLuiDWz9poyUUDVv_27CsVe8HatqY6VDpHSzWYOA2GszAYQ/s2048/C88FB76B-6038-499C-A381-DC6BB1F54917_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1577" data-original-width="2048" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uUZuppBQKT3eedMCmpOy8L9g-qXfmyx_0XwhlIPhjMApgmB0lW6y7HLODSyt3s-Atepi9u9sLoYbN34-ZO4zISqdLuiDWz9poyUUDVv_27CsVe8HatqY6VDpHSzWYOA2GszAYQ/s320/C88FB76B-6038-499C-A381-DC6BB1F54917_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>This last summer I build up a Chumba Stella Ti as a geared bike, but after a few months it morphed into a SS, then a rigid SS and I can say I've never been happier. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEweNQde8-vJOpzJONWDVONLnumukphyphenhyphenrKNIe76fVWHg29tejvZelew9z2sWXNJcHIGl2V2-WYQkDarYv4Rv47cdHuJyYvveaX0uSKCJNMZq3tOMOLJi5LvV9j_oPMEQRp0XW0g/s2048/1844099A-7B8E-4EC2-969E-ED57E93DD780.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEweNQde8-vJOpzJONWDVONLnumukphyphenhyphenrKNIe76fVWHg29tejvZelew9z2sWXNJcHIGl2V2-WYQkDarYv4Rv47cdHuJyYvveaX0uSKCJNMZq3tOMOLJi5LvV9j_oPMEQRp0XW0g/s320/1844099A-7B8E-4EC2-969E-ED57E93DD780.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEO5btf5B6AlkViVIBviHXHkldWFksWqQLj0BPaMvVfKgFzL93Ig0G9KCDwL2Gmq8chApnsP0mnw0cW2yOqwG4FCB7BRWDppLiW1xJsS4NWQ4L74Qes3EdfzGcNrGTKpAadZ1ag/s2048/C0CADD13-903A-43D9-8638-CA492864D9E7_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEO5btf5B6AlkViVIBviHXHkldWFksWqQLj0BPaMvVfKgFzL93Ig0G9KCDwL2Gmq8chApnsP0mnw0cW2yOqwG4FCB7BRWDppLiW1xJsS4NWQ4L74Qes3EdfzGcNrGTKpAadZ1ag/s320/C0CADD13-903A-43D9-8638-CA492864D9E7_1_201_a.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsqM-86xc9O7ZANMTWC-3XBMUb3wdHGYJXkRM0RmQI2Dk1d0nPISgtlMjSUGzaN6Qb1x20PT0K87LyllMC32m6K7G2DV6ovjNKIOqJU8M6s2ghKKLc3eHNuur3iwrF_a3z8zWog/s2048/FCF7DD35-CAAF-421D-BEEF-D5AF098C497C_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsqM-86xc9O7ZANMTWC-3XBMUb3wdHGYJXkRM0RmQI2Dk1d0nPISgtlMjSUGzaN6Qb1x20PT0K87LyllMC32m6K7G2DV6ovjNKIOqJU8M6s2ghKKLc3eHNuur3iwrF_a3z8zWog/s320/FCF7DD35-CAAF-421D-BEEF-D5AF098C497C_1_201_a.heic" width="240" /></a></div><p>How does this happen I ask and why does SS make me a happier rider? Why are my average speeds in hilly terrain faster on the SS? I don't know, I've pondered this many times and I still don't have any good answers. The simple truth of the matter is that I love riding one geared bikes and I have no intention to stop any time soon.</p>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-29007670968211486372021-10-09T19:31:00.000-07:002021-10-09T19:54:21.001-07:00Just when I’m sure…Just when I’m sure it’ll never be “better than this” it does get better…or so it seems. I’m always in awe of the beautiful country that surrounds me, even a burned out forest. <div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsV92x_WPeKYrAc9EU5k7iWGjOozzBX87DumNosKBlrjAkTLs6v57cNzcD0aWrUqptt6Am8YGYsdIAWniFyK0j-REeQ-3itkgMsyDhTtIuN7o4JEGNxZ12YGhV5HNe7yKg96RBw/s2048/195D82EE-0021-4196-A7E3-45866CABD795.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsV92x_WPeKYrAc9EU5k7iWGjOozzBX87DumNosKBlrjAkTLs6v57cNzcD0aWrUqptt6Am8YGYsdIAWniFyK0j-REeQ-3itkgMsyDhTtIuN7o4JEGNxZ12YGhV5HNe7yKg96RBw/w299-h398/195D82EE-0021-4196-A7E3-45866CABD795.heic" width="299" id="id_c00d_f6c5_f88d_96d8" style="width: 299px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></div><div></div><div>When I first saw the entire forest gone for miles I was initially sad that one of my old favorite riding areas was forever gone…gone as I had always known it until this day. I have ridden this area hundreds of times when I lived nearby and it was always green as far as the eye could see....this is the same area 11-years ago...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbCdkJ8Z4LuB_dF04-F8v7fxbDwgCehvx1Q6pQMBIkbcmaKKvty3wDmQSXhwbjPzDyXpUpKP0tzCVIdkaG_snc-afPGbwjq73Pu2KpIqvH50uZ1Ow65Vcqh9BH0vH1YjsGS4jgA/s1600/IMG_2552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbCdkJ8Z4LuB_dF04-F8v7fxbDwgCehvx1Q6pQMBIkbcmaKKvty3wDmQSXhwbjPzDyXpUpKP0tzCVIdkaG_snc-afPGbwjq73Pu2KpIqvH50uZ1Ow65Vcqh9BH0vH1YjsGS4jgA/w363-h272/IMG_2552.JPG" width="363" id="id_4e4c_5fab_b068_f9f4" style="width: 363px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></div><div>But after sitting there for a while and riding forward some more miles I found some strangely unique, incredible beauty in the disappointingly charred landscape. </div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUbKgnoy6FQcekaiG8jBlMnUiXVfq2rEYxWe7Rw5tMC1JGbwhYXh5sMQtZ1GUmY-GH_9-lsCoCozg63L6KUUn4heL6NnxWVx-nag2YQMHpxikKKXc6Dy2kd0Baw0dsyJVs6LK7w/s2048/76668526-5588-43E2-9403-15C5652AB856.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUbKgnoy6FQcekaiG8jBlMnUiXVfq2rEYxWe7Rw5tMC1JGbwhYXh5sMQtZ1GUmY-GH_9-lsCoCozg63L6KUUn4heL6NnxWVx-nag2YQMHpxikKKXc6Dy2kd0Baw0dsyJVs6LK7w/w268-h357/76668526-5588-43E2-9403-15C5652AB856.heic" width="268" id="id_7c4_43a7_5de_7a00" style="width: 268px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><br><br><br><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Several times I found myself sitting still scanning every detail, every charred tree, animal bones, and heat cracked rock….the intensity of this fire must have been something. Fire is truly amazing. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WZcYlA-ScQKo-3xFFJAxTNIZpeHz-FZ3LriKg8x9mbH8ASjRpZfCSsGbcION5kqLXsZ6SXO32fW3Mab2TZRgU45GtXTPpf-ejElQsGVcqU5vGtwE9h7Q5PYnpNEmyPCnLe5yhA/s2048/12402C4C-7AA1-4BB8-8BCB-2582F5592B97.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WZcYlA-ScQKo-3xFFJAxTNIZpeHz-FZ3LriKg8x9mbH8ASjRpZfCSsGbcION5kqLXsZ6SXO32fW3Mab2TZRgU45GtXTPpf-ejElQsGVcqU5vGtwE9h7Q5PYnpNEmyPCnLe5yhA/w356-h474/12402C4C-7AA1-4BB8-8BCB-2582F5592B97.heic" width="356" id="id_ee8d_427f_e1b4_3f41" style="width: 356px; height: auto;"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I’ll return in the future to further explore my old riding areas and for now I’m thankful that my local, close to home riding areas are still a live forest. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghytmHZnV6hHwfe9Z1Qme10o19Hs1IvU0_c4l1KJDFg67OEJS3yI55UCS0r9ijut31jNJRlKs-WCRmk8Aq2_H0KP-Azq4VZy_15q0DB0QdCyu8-73V5z8wpZDZlAErY74oIi5fDw/s1587/2D1A0ED8-EE34-43C8-90BA-880C9E415E79_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1587" data-original-width="1190" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghytmHZnV6hHwfe9Z1Qme10o19Hs1IvU0_c4l1KJDFg67OEJS3yI55UCS0r9ijut31jNJRlKs-WCRmk8Aq2_H0KP-Azq4VZy_15q0DB0QdCyu8-73V5z8wpZDZlAErY74oIi5fDw/w326-h435/2D1A0ED8-EE34-43C8-90BA-880C9E415E79_1_201_a.heic" width="326" id="id_d594_f0f_8bb5_8671" style="width: 326px; height: auto;"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUByMpUyXrgdh3FuTlAQOUIwWo3q3Fm86EVFLpzv4bR_aS2hrzlJJH7pxic8BmRIV-W3IO51n80PrYvDVKwIEB6pCoVn4t4oaIoJ2MRnFUG9JmebtallTqIgPg-5CRteovJIzUQ/s2048/5B2E83B0-4102-498B-8EF3-E2718C8E6F16_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUByMpUyXrgdh3FuTlAQOUIwWo3q3Fm86EVFLpzv4bR_aS2hrzlJJH7pxic8BmRIV-W3IO51n80PrYvDVKwIEB6pCoVn4t4oaIoJ2MRnFUG9JmebtallTqIgPg-5CRteovJIzUQ/w320-h427/5B2E83B0-4102-498B-8EF3-E2718C8E6F16_1_201_a.heic" width="320" id="id_4df6_db68_2b89_8c0b" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8rD7Ppk4upA9nT0hlQxLbB3vwylZaAV-trZBPVFH2It5BIdCZnH3dKibH4fuBD2uYkofrNmk1QtcFmdOqaSJy8dCDMW9YZGPdUbdIaiXrUrQaZimP3sVrsIy7eaeaUhzy21plw/s2048/B81C273D-6611-4453-BDC9-3B0DDE56B439.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8rD7Ppk4upA9nT0hlQxLbB3vwylZaAV-trZBPVFH2It5BIdCZnH3dKibH4fuBD2uYkofrNmk1QtcFmdOqaSJy8dCDMW9YZGPdUbdIaiXrUrQaZimP3sVrsIy7eaeaUhzy21plw/w468-h351/B81C273D-6611-4453-BDC9-3B0DDE56B439.heic" width="468" id="id_ed3_c027_37e6_542b" style="width: 468px; height: auto;"></a></div></div></div><br><br></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-68516405800429590752021-08-17T18:11:00.006-07:002021-08-17T18:46:57.947-07:00The Unpredictables of Life<p> It's been a while since I've posted anything here for several reasons which none are really worthy. But all said and done I'm lucky to be here (as we all are) and I appreciate things a little differently now than last year. I'm not talking about the goofiness of this politicized pandemic, but rather a life altering event that I had no way of preventing, predicting, or controlling. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoqa914FivB_FE-9B30QeKIBlbnsym84dV-Mgcy8dFMmc4NRGDboi6Gq03csNM0Eyx_Pc-AUbERJGF_btH4KL2VuXDKV51I7ys3TVkwjV8at9COEJNOh90h82P3TsoyajdjIBUg/s1280/8D0628C4-E8FA-4868-8078-BA4FB56F6093_1_201_a.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoqa914FivB_FE-9B30QeKIBlbnsym84dV-Mgcy8dFMmc4NRGDboi6Gq03csNM0Eyx_Pc-AUbERJGF_btH4KL2VuXDKV51I7ys3TVkwjV8at9COEJNOh90h82P3TsoyajdjIBUg/w300-h400/8D0628C4-E8FA-4868-8078-BA4FB56F6093_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last year I spent some time visiting a Neuro-ICU for a spontaneous hemorrhagic stroke (aka Subarachnoid Hemorrhage or more specifically a perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage). Well anyway I had a very large amount of blood invade my brainstem which is a person's command and control center essentially. To say the least I am lucky to be alive and able to walk, talk and have only minor deficits now. As an ER nurse I've sent out dozens of these cases and I've never seen one come back alive or without being severely disabled. Oddly, I had a calmness about me when it was happening and I knew exactly what was happening the moment it started...I was strangely ready for the worst outcome. </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzzbYMlnYmWQKhPiQH_rq5wlcJuRvioznGGPs4HKg_-BKYwR25RfmbM_9h9A9W_VEQCGKOWMhHSXIEw68U_MzrIiDJrxVgbtIV7W-GyCnHvKokqFkGqOnK8xhuR2b2R5CrZ3ihg/s2048/CE44972A-2057-4AE1-BC74-87EE2F205909_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzzbYMlnYmWQKhPiQH_rq5wlcJuRvioznGGPs4HKg_-BKYwR25RfmbM_9h9A9W_VEQCGKOWMhHSXIEw68U_MzrIiDJrxVgbtIV7W-GyCnHvKokqFkGqOnK8xhuR2b2R5CrZ3ihg/w300-h400/CE44972A-2057-4AE1-BC74-87EE2F205909_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>I couldn't drive for several months due to visual distortional impairments, but I could ride a bike (slowly). My first ride was only 2-miles and it felt like a hundred. I was tippy and felt very drunk feeling on that 1st ride, but it lead to more over time...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuQskJ0rmIXNgXViYsxAcZqzxA8toKAbFD8AXd5u6_qNVoNfb0iSo0npROgPgT6rzrt9ZyHiad_E3PJt8Dzp7JcpjeioxSW1wAbNFPTn7A24JzDKuHd0zT5Ep4DUybBCLEx8O6w/s2048/E43E4AC7-6E39-42A8-9FE9-05A84D6F0AE8_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuQskJ0rmIXNgXViYsxAcZqzxA8toKAbFD8AXd5u6_qNVoNfb0iSo0npROgPgT6rzrt9ZyHiad_E3PJt8Dzp7JcpjeioxSW1wAbNFPTn7A24JzDKuHd0zT5Ep4DUybBCLEx8O6w/w480-h640/E43E4AC7-6E39-42A8-9FE9-05A84D6F0AE8_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHykmY1o5pJvUWj-zzXniUf54iGjFLUDP1sn0A6kNjrKeJJgWuA623apbgBIUW5SIdGwJcg3OiX-QwhyphenhyphengJ0uPj4PAHUdW5Qvf0tfeaCOdSMq3rBiuSnhI3FNmFLf754UsGnubc-Q/s2048/2542C588-508D-43AA-928D-0C2CD25D2CB3.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHykmY1o5pJvUWj-zzXniUf54iGjFLUDP1sn0A6kNjrKeJJgWuA623apbgBIUW5SIdGwJcg3OiX-QwhyphenhyphengJ0uPj4PAHUdW5Qvf0tfeaCOdSMq3rBiuSnhI3FNmFLf754UsGnubc-Q/w480-h640/2542C588-508D-43AA-928D-0C2CD25D2CB3.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p>Soon 14 miles felt like a century ride, then 20, then...well you get the idea. Just over a year later and I still get crazy fatigue and require naps on a daily basis. I wake up every day feeling severely hungover and I don't drink alcohol anymore for obvious reasons. I'm up to working 2-days a week which is sometimes like running a marathon. But it's all good...I'm alive and functioning. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdsnVjefUx018DzP67USardWanmQXImrkL4bocYW_sdHOjPPgHDLdQhzcBiF4HWPlGjnn3hVWZM_MHAYAAS73Tw84kTehlA8-VAmviVzdJ_SxixmhcvX-0WYPa2iew9zBSy-llA/s2048/B93214A9-B8AD-43A7-8E0D-3DE86E3CB77E_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdsnVjefUx018DzP67USardWanmQXImrkL4bocYW_sdHOjPPgHDLdQhzcBiF4HWPlGjnn3hVWZM_MHAYAAS73Tw84kTehlA8-VAmviVzdJ_SxixmhcvX-0WYPa2iew9zBSy-llA/w480-h640/B93214A9-B8AD-43A7-8E0D-3DE86E3CB77E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Winter came and went...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbVX8ix-oATUeMjBq1adPSW0VYkgbuw104MWRV9JooejuY17lzpRQiMlQiIbRBi8quH5RvdQ7F8_bYC1P8pRwQrsXWeB0icB0jwYSsUmskbXFTPYhh0KNPD8wwDEhnSN0mPSllg/s2048/578BACCC-1BFF-4A72-80D8-0CF361AB8A00_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbVX8ix-oATUeMjBq1adPSW0VYkgbuw104MWRV9JooejuY17lzpRQiMlQiIbRBi8quH5RvdQ7F8_bYC1P8pRwQrsXWeB0icB0jwYSsUmskbXFTPYhh0KNPD8wwDEhnSN0mPSllg/w480-h640/578BACCC-1BFF-4A72-80D8-0CF361AB8A00_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVeZwefyn3epMpnavgB-wkBrPz6Q7p2aC0c0573Hcy-R4ymvwS59k2NdlklXC28fnmFjN53G_r01wJX-5RrXmUeWXOEJuVzd99CakPAEtFUnrlb4gIe0cw7N8CTOLGTo0tcrSVg/s2048/497334E2-0706-4C8C-908C-E62959357BFD_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVeZwefyn3epMpnavgB-wkBrPz6Q7p2aC0c0573Hcy-R4ymvwS59k2NdlklXC28fnmFjN53G_r01wJX-5RrXmUeWXOEJuVzd99CakPAEtFUnrlb4gIe0cw7N8CTOLGTo0tcrSVg/w480-h640/497334E2-0706-4C8C-908C-E62959357BFD_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6717PxeLWK6A0QnoecwQIsfJ_oC711Vl7Xen6tJq6OaDFheepM9jklKdG5LoaOyshyMlrOHazXDMcHHPHCh93P3cD_lki6xPJTdwDSK5W6UasW0ZUV505I4RiBHDDGIBLQ2JHg/s2048/17D97EA6-2176-4E53-AFEF-9BADE01F727D_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6717PxeLWK6A0QnoecwQIsfJ_oC711Vl7Xen6tJq6OaDFheepM9jklKdG5LoaOyshyMlrOHazXDMcHHPHCh93P3cD_lki6xPJTdwDSK5W6UasW0ZUV505I4RiBHDDGIBLQ2JHg/w480-h640/17D97EA6-2176-4E53-AFEF-9BADE01F727D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Then...A few weeks ago...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0e8VeepB73ACH9P1bvEK_HL22Sy2-dewftIbrlMnNeglXrCEDni-2ceS4tWiudfDtxRn4C3GiW2sRa9IyTuOf4U04UofwoWQZwVLzrWqEdibPym-tx2EzFCkcG0SvRhFwPfKlA/s2048/54CF0A5A-80AE-4327-B8A6-6D7752C6DC41.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0e8VeepB73ACH9P1bvEK_HL22Sy2-dewftIbrlMnNeglXrCEDni-2ceS4tWiudfDtxRn4C3GiW2sRa9IyTuOf4U04UofwoWQZwVLzrWqEdibPym-tx2EzFCkcG0SvRhFwPfKlA/w300-h400/54CF0A5A-80AE-4327-B8A6-6D7752C6DC41.heic" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I rode in the Butte-50 that I signed up for a few year ago but was postponed like everything was in 2020. My victory would be only to finish. Which I did...this was no easy task at 56-miles with 8600-ft of elevation change. With a lot of suffering and determination I did finish, not last but a long way down in the lineup. My secondary goal was to ride it in less than 8-hrs. I finished with just over 8-hrs of ride time, but I did spend a few hours resting along the way due to my fatigue issues and some moderate dehydration problems (it was hot). Still I won, total victory, I finished. I vowed to never do that race again since it was so hard...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But a day later I started getting terrible urges to do it on a single speed bike (I have such a weird passion for single speed bikes - feel so comfortable on them). My broken brain is convincing me that with all the hill climbing it would be a lot easier with the right gear ratio. Well for now I have some months to really think those crazy thoughts over a bit more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPZdNGia4Z4Uo61XMHcANTN4jtzlO_gYyHaT5SCEB_Wa4ZVUTDXr6ReOkY99CbBiSHm41ILzv69X-krxtS9vnbgaVhVBSD-1WaBT11bipjkGc3Et-sth8MBHKT4DM1VXco4JCug/s2048/6C99E147-2AA2-40E9-AA77-A334838550B6.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPZdNGia4Z4Uo61XMHcANTN4jtzlO_gYyHaT5SCEB_Wa4ZVUTDXr6ReOkY99CbBiSHm41ILzv69X-krxtS9vnbgaVhVBSD-1WaBT11bipjkGc3Et-sth8MBHKT4DM1VXco4JCug/w480-h640/6C99E147-2AA2-40E9-AA77-A334838550B6.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the meantime I'm totally having fun just riding and enjoying my life, my wife, and my goofy dog. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92F79-XlHVL33IW0Wf3Yglbqi9CUKpaXaRWiAPWiMw2zlobkTM6qtg0g53u8LBStI3gKVqCuRhXyEaD_vZNyZKvukkuFpJAflbpgSNwKWaAF6GerNfRe8mrITdqqRWr0l6EeNqw/s2048/C297A656-1CE2-4A28-81F9-282B4B196E97_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92F79-XlHVL33IW0Wf3Yglbqi9CUKpaXaRWiAPWiMw2zlobkTM6qtg0g53u8LBStI3gKVqCuRhXyEaD_vZNyZKvukkuFpJAflbpgSNwKWaAF6GerNfRe8mrITdqqRWr0l6EeNqw/w480-h640/C297A656-1CE2-4A28-81F9-282B4B196E97_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-17035844743018207702020-05-22T16:45:00.000-07:002020-05-22T16:45:07.580-07:00Trail Dog - Addie the Wonder-Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Trail dog - Addie the Wonder Dog, feared by squirrels and hyper beyond belief. We've been exploring some new stuff together on the bike while we both learn the trail-dog way. For the most part she is a natural and at 7-months age she has endurance enough to accomplish 9-10 miles easily. </div>
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Australian Kelpies are known for their ability to go 30-miles. For now I'm leaving the ride length up to her...she tells me in her own way when she'd done (like laying under the bike for a nap when we take a break). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ2Yl0zajMPn5Rb_gddOy-qdxa9olp1OSfRqmf6Of-PyorabAdx1XIvdJDIrxpOmAPTMtLWDFNuvUVUOHOhm-ILBedneiGm817RUTtwVaiEpda5JCjIHlpyLFCuSTv_wp0W-JVg/s1600/IMG_4296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ2Yl0zajMPn5Rb_gddOy-qdxa9olp1OSfRqmf6Of-PyorabAdx1XIvdJDIrxpOmAPTMtLWDFNuvUVUOHOhm-ILBedneiGm817RUTtwVaiEpda5JCjIHlpyLFCuSTv_wp0W-JVg/s400/IMG_4296.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-39916104770344510742020-05-11T06:09:00.001-07:002020-05-11T06:09:08.699-07:00Would you keep going?Would you keep going? I would (did)...bike packing has always had an alternate meaning for me.<div><br></div><div>This is the way forward currently....<div><div><br><div></div></div><div><img id="id_61b3_39fa_dd79_e8ed" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hcZ29AtrBCbnX16Yo4org3T0RoICMb58TFUrNzIQheloxcNjc7B8nHw9eF_JhHI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>Mushy, slushy snow patchwork that sticks to tires and quickly plugs up ability to freely roll. Even a fatbike would find difficulty traversing this stuff. So the solution is pack your bike forward or turn back (which is my last choice). </div><div><br></div><div>I love this kind of adventure and would do it again any day. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f6b8_1ad8_edee_798a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lPun5UyTuXoft2mDDHK43OL52BuUHMvSpgLFcpmuA_3pESU3oKySXTWs5UFDiM0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-34495482935411728332020-05-01T18:55:00.000-07:002020-05-07T19:07:18.301-07:00There's Supposed to be a Trail HereWhile bushwacking myself and bike through thick brush I think, "There's supposed to be a trail here, but not finding any is OK too." Initially there was a trail but it got narrower and narrower until it was full on brush with only a faint little rabbit trail under it all.
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So being stubborn as I am and knowing that the top of the hill and a clearer path "had to be just ahead," I continued to force myself and bike through. After all the satellite image burned into by head shows a trail here. So yes I will make sure I'm going to get through because turning back is epic defeat.<br />
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Oh this is perfectly me in every way. And I like it this way. The reward always sweet!<br />
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<img alt="" height="640" id="id_281a_caa0_9902_9503" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/P71TlVtdc2MXZx-qaMA_3QTcJzUwOG45YhzRW4i64ZrrQO07FiMgC1ODwyG1L6E" title="" tooltip="" width="480" /><br />
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<br />Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-23621699238629225612020-03-14T19:15:00.001-07:002020-03-14T19:19:11.690-07:00Ever See a Chubby Turtle ClimbClimbing up hills has always been a strange addiction for me. Long ago I would sprint up hill - the longer the better. Then I discovered biking up hills was even more interesting. On the other hand downhill stuff is a yawning event...I’d rather stop and have a look around. <div><br></div><div><img id="id_996c_5c25_b3e2_da88" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/inBeEtNoJGHZaY30XDyBv0Pq9RSXefqoomaOD_-c3oqFRTzXVFFXTQJACQIAIPg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br>(Note-to-self: Riding drop bars down long, steep roads is stupid, don’t do it!)</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2f82_d4f0_a6ee_cfb3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GNCrTHSU_MBBR_Uh-OdADhJYhOaGQk_7XhrIOP-i3fBJOn2CStWN7S6NUHT2Vsk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br>Oh yeah! Mountain bike bars are soooo...much mo-better! And yes, my 2002 Gary Fisher Supercaliber-29 is still an amazing bike to ride. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f8a0_6617_dc5_e844" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/n4bmq7H8gXx1_xqpyhdtyAC-cF4NdNYD_u27z79xcTEOJfMMIcavuhog3k1EkQQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>I’ve recently discovered that climbing hills with and extra 24-lbs of porky-pig fat hanging off my belly is a prelude to harder-than-I-remember efforts to get up some previously easy climbs. So now I’m a (fat) turtle climbing hills. The good news is that these hills are fat burning maximums; often 8-10 miles of sustained climbing upwards of 3500-ft elevation change, which when climbed without stopping seems to melt away the chubby quite rapidly. </div><div><br></div><div>I’m taking my own advice - Get out and ride your bike. </div><div><img id="id_447e_ae6c_38d4_8f0f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3X2pEmCSHKuOa7bh-3Vy4XymHbmjLMAjyN45QkMv06bwLWv90mlrNWy1EyzOCjU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-61828284619334171302020-02-22T17:29:00.001-08:002020-02-22T17:29:34.369-08:00Cowgirl-On-A-Bike Rides AgainThe Cowgirl-On-A-Bike is back at it! After a few years off she’s tearing up the gravel roads in our backyard on a newer, lighter lean-mean-green-machine. <div><br></div><div>Her bike kit today was Wrangler jeans and her barn shoes. </div><div><br></div><div>I’m telling ya if she starts training or even riding a few days a week I fear she will start easily dusting everyone. This Cowgirl has an amazing natural ability on a bike. <div><img id="id_bfc3_cc13_324d_9bbd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tKDp_iJxB0RsK3BSdEYQFwZIgPwPxpU4-dpWmJ0nuQnYk4RY4GZ8P_H1qk57g3I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-56108371344049029552020-01-19T17:53:00.001-08:002020-01-19T17:53:34.386-08:00Snow Ride at Turtle Speed Most people don’t start a new “training” regime with a hard workout...I guess I must be one of those exceptions. <div><br><div><img id="id_f200_3357_bcdd_c9c" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/S1D3IyLHHzEpUJTxL1uLBNlcbf_pYbcLmshq68Y8_V8gUAJsaMPXRQ4fu5g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>Riding unconsolidated snow is tough on a good day when I was in shape and it was pure pain today in my current form (which is more the form of a blobby jelly fish these days). </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_be81_e70f_d47f_8169" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9hz3hYCL-rcODIjaxaKpx16krWPvkzW5yY3FxhAOKA7KO5gE_-8U9B5yLZo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>There were a few moments where I could feel the spark of the old me, but for the most part I felt like a turtle floundering along in the snow. I’m sure I’ll get past this, but in the meantime I think this is fun!?</div></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_219c_dfe5_7757_b8d1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zcTuHLLYUn-5-13sExTNjihm6W-BqXBKp6w4qEP5wsyP3diYSPrs0TmleBg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-75008222941503275522020-01-18T16:42:00.001-08:002020-01-18T16:42:23.910-08:00I’m a Turtle I’m still at a loss for explaining where time has gone. I know part of it, well a lot of it, was spent putting an addition onto our tiny house. I was the sole contractor, but now it’s finished and my days are no longer threatened with working for income only to come home and work for space. Now we’re living in 800 sqft of luxury a small increase from 480 sqft. <div><br><div><img id="id_7d23_a341_ba51_a352" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/CCUFznrmZFfqnzkMRwmvmGLpoItBKqlf5vA_U2CcrFKTDobriSR9TxIMf6c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>Now I simply don’t know what to do with myself...except go back to bike adventures. I’ve gotten a bit soft in the legs (we won’t need to mention my pudgy middle) but I feel super fast on my bike every ride! However, looking at numbers I have a very sad reality check once I compare average speed to that of a few years ago...I seem to have morphed into a turtle. </div><div><br></div><div>I have work to do. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8313_7e9b_649e_c590" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VjCLfXGX22slcAj4cC4jYT00r9P6BkJ750d3-Ini_1WyLr_49o6n2XFSxR8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8000_d0f4_df3a_fcf7" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/6iuoXmr8G6_I6EQgRVRTxHqbuOOHn74YXw7XtXfHtaFmEhoZzsmA3w4Pr3o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_f672_c988_f31a_5e5d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/T_hWlYij1wo1Vrcuf6KCI4lUb474WquLuuNRYBvqGumfUC6woYq2UL7qJJA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-61934445493634052742019-08-27T21:10:00.001-07:002019-08-27T21:10:18.531-07:00The Short Summer Not sure where the summer wondered off to or for that matter where the last year went. 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Last weekend I conquered Seven Devils. This is a full-on climbing ride from the Salmon River outside of Riggins, ID to 8000+ feet elevation. This place is an incredibly beautiful and it is misnamed in my opinion. The general region around Hells Canyon if full of dark names for reasons that I do not know. Oddly across the Salmon River canyon is the Gospel Hump Wilderness. </div>
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There was nothing easy about this ride, but it was fun in an torturously odd sort of way (data stolen from Sean Ellis)...</div>
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But the scenery was good and riding with the guys was fun.</div>
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Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-87074105065183319402018-06-07T17:50:00.001-07:002018-06-07T17:59:00.189-07:00The Battle of MidwayToday marks the 76th anniversary of the final day of the Battle of Midway. It occurred a short 6-months after Pearl Harbor and it’s looked upon as the most decisive battle in Pacific war...at a cost of 3000+ casualties for America and I’m sure many more for Japan. A selfless sacrifice by many on both sides as can be seen here after the USS Yorktown took 3-aerial bombs.<div><br></div><div><img id="id_7f96_a03a_e72e_f326" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PXYdYJ1cI9Q/WxnSloxTyMI/AAAAAAAAIMo/Qlqs1BWpb8kptdNKG1_21kY8p7JL851AACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br>The Battle of Midway reminds me of the ferocious battles going on constantly every day in every possible arena...utter chaos. I currently feel that I’m in my own Midway Battle, I know I will win, but the cost is getting heavy. I also know that because of all the warrior’s efforts and sacrifices before me I still have some freedoms this day.</div><div><br></div><div>I do sometimes find some calm in my life’s battles...pedaling the weariness away, gaining new strength and ambition to carry on. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e8d1_b695_9470_a3ef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Wzh6F4omJk/WxnSvzwxgyI/AAAAAAAAIMw/uoD93LLQbWoncpbxJN-Byu2vMif36nOHQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d38c_7881_a8f9_75a7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cspWHGAnSBE/WxnSsZYHxpI/AAAAAAAAIMs/tGMDK2tP7VYSdz5t0TNpy_nnTTWtfwNmgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_29db_3206_bb08_ceeb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wz2cSiJBSCE/WxnSy3ov5jI/AAAAAAAAIM0/yZGN_-WNi3QYPD2TQQVBe2oNn-6nPshcACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-52012356995581999032018-06-06T22:13:00.001-07:002018-06-06T22:13:59.759-07:00D-DayDoes anyone know about or remember the 9,000+ killed that day? I put my flag out to honor those who selflessly sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Being a veteran myself I don’t forget... it means something to me. <div><br><div><img id="id_99e3_d09b_402c_aa96" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Uf17VRAJno/Wxi_BaiaBeI/AAAAAAAAIMA/6Pz20ZrEWYQsVZW28XEukBxWQ2pS7UfsQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>Sometimes it’s the smallest things that we let pass us by that really mean something (like D-Day). Slowing down a bit, turning off Fakebook, and other unnecessary brain-draining rubbish is a real eye opening experience. We let that crap pollute us too the point of complete addiction which follows with self destructive behavior. We’ve been mislead to believe all of this as normal. The old saying, “Stop and smell the roses” still applies today and we should practice it once in a while to realize the stupidity we live in today. </div><div><br></div><div>I like taking breaks to look around...I’m alway amazed a what exists in the tiniest world at our feet...like tiny orchids on the forest floor...</div><div><br></div><img id="id_367c_1d51_41ec_bfb9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dSKauT76mLs/Wxi_DZD9UuI/AAAAAAAAIMM/rcpD9XYKXfox-CCKoCnGK762vcKzwBJEACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Or flowers a small as a blade of grass...</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_efa1_71d_e911_4109" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zF-EPmrG650/Wxi_B2f_4tI/AAAAAAAAIMI/-NpkYT3LbOUWCDAlODEo2yS1gwTbl21AgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br>Or maybe an intriguing geometric design...</div><div><br></div><img id="id_d22f_3659_825e_c801" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OwRktvNEFqE/Wxi_B21YrPI/AAAAAAAAIME/JOkNTkvFj1o0H2QBI58YnvRAFfKU2b47gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Then it’s time to ride on...with a smile and some natural education. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3380_9bbc_7c51_1d13" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mb2HnsXJ-II/Wxi_FmZ4ucI/AAAAAAAAIMQ/Z7dmG-iM20EVVFn8vv6R-DXYpdN9bqjDgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-39460513960729513912018-06-04T20:07:00.001-07:002018-06-04T20:07:40.533-07:00Things I See on a Bike #1Oh so close....but didn’t make it! Nice stride though! <div><br></div><div><img id="id_4647_c6ec_e62b_200b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NdcGn4hAo_k/WxX-elCyTxI/AAAAAAAAILw/yv3-isQ8DcMnoh6M7HMetfzZZT3CXSUrwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>Seeing weird things like this while on my bike always bring me to a screeching halt...then after scratching my head some, walking around a bit to examine all angles (so I can either scientifically satisfy my curiosity or keep me occupied thinking about it for hours) I ride on. </div><div><br></div><div>When we fail to see the interesting information all around us to get a better understanding we fall into boredom and eventually a society of stupidity where one doomed dumb-ass follows another into the pit of self annihilation. Oh well...</div><div><br></div><div>I like stopping for a closer look. </div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-59797739567197631132018-06-03T16:21:00.001-07:002018-06-03T16:21:09.534-07:00Forest Cruising Cruising the forests in North Central Idaho...my favorite kind of ride.<div><img id="id_b527_494b_69d0_362" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nBnZETk-7Qs/WxR34ouk5nI/AAAAAAAAILU/Ml9QKVaPaqsmPRSlnhuqt-S9OjKOOtIhQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_83cd_d35_937d_dbc2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w4yWFdZ6DIw/WxR32IQHTBI/AAAAAAAAILM/GWFk71AYCtEiobpvXF-ai7HeUBi57KwCwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_9124_f26c_696b_ee66" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HxB297D67tQ/WxR345FrQdI/AAAAAAAAILY/XOKFqJz35XcznTJUdwE6-rtRgXa4N016wCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_bc1c_9856_b881_86cd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0vLydZqDBt8j2mO7y4kRGrMWLV8NWeDyRpsN-9qZI-1568a-vK-ImQj5p7ST_FAPPd5I1auRqT2_kOz-V5zFyaezffn2Mh5zYPB-FbcVUBnppiVw4NbSygemyS8INLlQNrcH4g/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-71584641112633993622017-10-03T06:12:00.002-07:002017-10-03T06:13:00.001-07:00Fatback SkookumI have an addiction to bikes that is well known and if you take the time to read through some of my past posts here you will see that I have own a lot of bikes (I mean a LOT of bikes). If I had my choice it would be much worse, but there is a limit to funds and riding time (especially since I have to earn money to keep my addiction alive). In the mean time I will continue on my covert mission to buy and ride all bikes possible.<br />
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One of my favorite bikes brands is Fatback since they fit me so well and I have a real passion for fatter tires these days. I've used my Fatbacks only seasonally in the winter for snow biking until this year. I built a set of 29+ wheels for my Fatback Corvus put on a set of 3-inch tires. This wheelset changed everything I could do with this bike. Previously is was a winter bike with 5-inch snow tires but with the 3-inch 29+ setup it was a go-anywhere machine. It wasn't long after I did this that I was wishing for a little suspension to smooth some of the rough places I ride at high speed. I contemplated buying a fork for my Corvus, but the Fatback Skookum kept popping up and slowly became a bike I "had to have."<br />
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The Skookum is incredibly versatile in that it can take a variety of wheel sizes, like full on fat snow biking 26x4.8, 27.5x4.0(+), and 27.5+. Plus the geometry is a little slacker allowing very confident warp-speed bombing runs downhill. So far I've run my Skookum 29+ and 27.5+. I currently have a 27.5x3.8 tire on which is awesome for trail riding, but not a fast climber. I really like it. Interestingly 3.8 tires just a few years ago were the fattest sized snow tires available. Now they seem rather skinny.<br />
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Get out and ride your bike!Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-34421134484750709052017-09-26T21:43:00.002-07:002017-09-26T21:43:38.150-07:00Fatback Corvus in 29+ ModeMy winter fat bike, a Fatback Corvus, with 3-inch 29er wheels (also known as 29+ or 29-plus) is an awesome summer ride. One reason I bought this bike was for this purpose of bike camping and pure summer adventures with endless possibilities. So far I have not gotten to bike camp this year, but the adventure aspect has been great. I am amazed at how smooth this bike rides and how well it corners with the 29+ wheels. It's one of those bikes that just make you smile riding it anywhere.<br />
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The rigid fork is good for the most part, but every now and they (like when I'm riding on something bone jarring rough) I kinda wish for a suspension fork. Well maybe someday I'll buy a "summer fork" for my Corvus. Until then it yeehaw time! Giddy-Up!Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-54801960562626559412017-07-28T17:06:00.001-07:002017-07-28T18:32:30.029-07:00Cowgirl on a Bike<br>This is Donna and she's my Cowgirl on a Bike...I love it! Donna prefers to ride in her cowboy boots which she claims are perfect for cycling and she often can be found speeding down a gravel road in a skort. Make no mistake - She's one fast cowgirl! <div><br></div><div><img id="id_fd37_a045_7dcc_44d0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HnzCsZQuB18/WXvUt7XrtHI/AAAAAAAAIC4/GAVHZQZ6fNsAu-G8hdhFDP6AnFxI8u0JQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-75513057198465025942017-07-11T06:05:00.001-07:002017-07-11T06:05:42.872-07:00Aaahhh...the Evening RideOh yeah, there's nothing more rewarding than an evening ride at the end of a hot day after work.<div><br><div><img id="id_50c5_8c15_c343_66a6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaexLeXw7rt8rpKF87bYuoD3yeJv4tZvQju_iduT9AWiGwFkqWvuX3Ie3lQpyM1vJQ8WOi3liwWf3E4uV9tVBmXFblJcAqSWP-C6Z2uXAAp8HMJK4i1KB7xP90-KAcQ6Ptw5a4_g/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>The colors are always more intense, the end of the day has it's own distinct smells, and there is a unique quietness as everything settles down for the night. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_978_10de_4e54_3a8e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3N2WLO9dphc/WWTNJfHx78I/AAAAAAAAICA/P4k6JO0F1BwVtvqLTpM57zFyIGAenbybQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>My favorite loop is 12-miles of forested fun that I can ride hard after a not-so-fun day of work to blow off my stress, I can ride it leisurely and see every detail along the way, or something in between the two. I'm never disappointed no matter how hard or easy I choose to ride. Even when I'm going hard my ADHD brain sees something that makes me come to a rapid stop to look and examine in slow detail. Sometimes it's nothing and sometimes it's the whole world in a very special slow-motion moment. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_9b9_eaf1_36be_bfe5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gpggmdiqv1k/WWTNCoNlBAI/AAAAAAAAIB4/5-29GFq1XCkSEDASkCGBD1mHU-ZuJ1WtwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>Get out and ride your bike</b>!</div></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-48673472621524510872017-07-06T12:47:00.000-07:002017-07-06T20:35:30.029-07:00It's Hard to Live Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's hard to beat living here in North Central Idaho. On a daily basis it seems that I get awaken to sunrises like this...<br>
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<div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><div>And I end my day with bike rides viewing sunsets like this...</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_84c7_1050_a4ab_883" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-N15MLpU6OWyID_Y4mBkf7aCQoDRGcZPD6Wr25pRzbGYmhQ7Cjk3ZQWXu1k8NBEl4SQns3JirAcIzw5YIUzcdlYFwPrehNC04ik7vdSGvmikPnRwMmh8ySASiUywlOGwPosz_A/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3fd4_3672_5c85_fc1d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fuD8rX-kYsY/WV8BbgiFYoI/AAAAAAAAIBU/AWwED6f1nPg4YcorqxDvwGewzk82JQO3QCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>
<br>The beauty here is out of control. My back yard is full of mountains to explore, river & streams to be fished and awe inspiring vistas to be had. </div><div><br></div><div>Yes, it's terrible being here...haha!<br>
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<br></div></div></div>Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20747460.post-60155119908460205432017-02-18T12:00:00.002-08:002017-02-18T12:00:38.886-08:00Fatback Spin Class<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Milner Trail - slogging through a wet 4-6 inch surface layer, which is a hard workout and much happy suffering. The Fatback Corvus is an awesome machine I'm finding out through rough experiences like this.<br />
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This is my spin class! Eric Kop-skihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834862406218011282noreply@blogger.com0