I'm SO disappointed.

This is the stone picnic shelter at the intersection of the Rock Island and Billy Wolff trails on the North side of the zoo.

Their turning it into a storage unit for the parks department. They'll keep tools and such for the Sunken Gardens and Rose Garden in it. It'll save them trips back to the shop when they need something, but that shelter was always a good meeting place for cyclists to meet for group rides.

I rode my loaner Surly Cross Check from Bike Pedalers to work and back today and got 20.0 miles.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

A big crowd came out for a perfect night on the Nacho Ride.

Today should be the last full commute on my loaner Surly Cross Check from Bike Pedalers. My new Felt ZA frame is in and if they have the bottom bracket parts I should be able to pick it up tomorrow after work! The morning was crisp and by the afternoon it'd become perfect outside for biking.

Tonight was another fun filled Nacho Ride down the Mopac to Eagle. We took off hard and fast and made it to Eagle in record time, getting there in 34 minutes. Scott was celebrating his birthday during supper. We spun home at an easier pace passing more nachoers still making the trek to the OED.

Today's work commute and Nacho Ride came to 47.9 miles.

Lazy afternoon spin.

I had a couple hours before supper and took a spin down some city trails on my loaner Surly Cross Check. I had thought of starting a new fun and leisurely Monday evening ride, but I need to promote it more and start it up in the spring instead. I rode down to the old State Fair grounds, then took a lap around Holmes Lake getting back in time to eat with 15.1 miles and a total for the day if 33.5

Flatwater cyclocross training began tonight at Van Dorn Park.

I rode the Surly Cross Check loaner bike from Bike Pedalers to work today. I miss the snappy take-offs from stop lights that I had with my Felt. But I appreciate the comfort of the Cross Check over the bumps in the road.

After work I detoured to Van Dorn park to see area cyclocross racers train. They'll be at it on Wednesdays at 5:30 in the weeks to come, stop by and cheer them on. They got done and I headed home as the clouds opened up and the rain began. Today's miles = 22.7

2010 GPBC's Heatstroke 100.

Almost exactly 3 years ago we moved to Lincoln and started biking. We did the annual Kool-Aid Days ride that summer. Last year my whole family did the BBC Rolling To The River Ride. And this year we decided to ride the GPBC Heatstroke 100 together.

With me on my loaner Surley Cross Check from Bike Pedalers, the wife on her new Ruby, our oldest on his hardtail Marin MTB, our daughter on her Marin comfort bike and our youngest on his Felt MTB we set out along with my brother-in-law and hundreds of other cyclists on today's ride.

We decided to do loop #1, from SAC, through Ashland across the Gretna - I-80 exit, to the SAG stop at the LIED bridge and back to SAC.

I somehow got a flat just before the end. It's my 6th of the year. Otherwise it was a perfect ride. The kids weren't used to the hills or wind, and today was the longest ride any of them had done. But we took our time and really made it a great way to spend the morning. Today's miles = 24.5

Looking sharp for a road ride to Cortland for water.

I met up with Chris and Council at 7:30 mmm, er, ah, make that 7:36 in Council's case. I should feel lucky I got a chance to ride with him since he often bows out of ride opportunities, so I won't write about my deep disappointment in his tardiness.

He made it up to me by letting me suck wheel all the way down 77 to Cortland. There were questions concerning my steel steed. And my humor that was as stinging as today's South wind, was just as well received.

I was dressed to the nines for the trip, and offered to reach up for a drink for the boys. After stopping for water we turned back to the star city and let the tail wind push us home.

Back in the city I continued North down the Rock Island Trail where I ran into the infamous barkeep himself from the Legendary Fox Hole Tavern who was promoting the upcoming Fox Hole 100 2-day bike tour from Lincoln to Wilbur on September 18th and 19th. The Fox Hole 100 is an awesome ride that you should make plans to be on!

Later back at home I went for a short spin with Ruby and her rider. I got along well with the Surly Cross Check today, it was comfortable and predictable. I'm still struggling to get used to the bar end shifters and miss the quick acceleration of my Felt. But once it's up to speed it floats like a Cadillac. Today's total miles = 50.2

August Critical Mass

We met up at 6pm tonight North of the Capital. Amy was promoting the upcoming Farm Walk and there is talk of biking out there again this year!

We rode through downtown and the Haymarket area. It was a great night for a spin and it was fun to see everyone. I got lots of comments and compliments on the Cross Check.

I made it home with 34.5 miles for the day.

Felt Z70 frame - RIP

10 months and 4757 miles on this bike.

This morning was gorgeous, but about 1/2 way to work my chain mysteriously jumped off the middle ring to the little ring. It continued to do that every time I was in low gears on the rear set. It was becoming a pain. No problem. Bike Pedalers gives a years worth of free tune-ups with a new bike purchase, and the Felt is only 10 months old. So after work I rode over to Bike Pedalers to have them adjust the front derailer and send me on my way.

Once they put it on the stand I pointed out the play in my bottom bracket, they opened it up to find my bearings were bad and that I'd wore a deep groove in the steal crank!

I also pointed out the cracks my Felt had developed where the rear drop outs connect to the carbon fiber seat stay. What began as a hairline paint crack eventually fatigued and separated clear through. The front fork also has some slight cracks in the carbon fiber, they haven't seemed to get worse like the ones in the back though.

Well, the wise folks at Bike Pedalers urged me to stop riding it until the frame could be replaced for safety reasons. Felt makes amazing bikes, and they guarantee their frames for as long as you own the bike.

I have plans to do lots of riding, and can't be with out a good bike for the 2 weeks or so it'll probably take to get a new frame, so, get this, Bike Pedalers graciously pulled a brand new bike off the floor and put my wheels, pedals, seat, etc on it for me to use till my new Felt frame comes in! Talk about service!

I have a LOT of love for my Felt. And hate to go without it for even a week or two. But, I'm thankful to have another quality bike to use in the meantime. Bike Pedalers has sold about a zillion Felts. And mine is the very first frame (besides shipping damaged ones) to ever need warrantied. I don't blame Felt. But, it'll be interesting to see what they warranty it with since 2009 was the last year they had the Z70. Hopefully they still have one laying around somewhere. If not, I hope I'll be as happy with the new frame set as I was with the Z70.

I still can't get over the great service Bike Pedalers is giving me. We've bought a lot of bikes (6) from them, but it's a true testimonial when you feel delighted with their service when you have a serious problem. There is a lot to be said for buying from a reputable local shop rather than used, on-line, or from a big box store. I've always liked Surly Cross Checks when I've tried them in the bike shop parking lots. But it'll be fun to see how I get along with it on some weekend rides and work commutes.

Stay tuned to see what happens.