New Frame, The Pain Wagon, from Rock Lobster

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So I decided that cycling just doesn't hurt quite enough, actually cyclocross. So I had Paul over at Rock Lobster in Santa Cruz build me a Single Speed Cyclocross frame. I do hate it when I drop my chain or just having to deal with silly gears, plus I am a runner, who needs gears in a hour long race anyway.


Speaking of chains, this bike won’t have one, it will be running the Gates Carbon Belt Drive system.I rode a spot carbon belt drive bike at the outdoor demo at Interbike and really liked it, so Paul had the great idea to modify Paul (different Paul) Components dropouts (pictured above) so the belt drive systems could be utilized.

To keep the bike clean the back brake cable is routed threw the top tube and out the seat stay, kinda slick.


To further clean up the frame I did request the integrated seat mast that seams to be all the rage lately.

Not much to say about this image I just like it. So it off to Spectrum Powder Works for a sick paint job, any guesses on the color?

Gibraltar, Paradise, Painted Cave, Old San Marcos

I will be doing this ride twice a month (1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, 7am @ the Roco) starting 11-19, Climb, Climb, Climb. I am also playing with the idea of doing the Arroyo Burro dirt road on the way back from Paradise.

I hear they repaved a lot of the bad stuff. Gibraltar Hilltop finish at the Tour of California in 2010?

55miles, Climbing TBA


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Tour of Missouri, Stage 4 (quotes)

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Ok, so I am going to try and think of cool quotes to go with the images today.



Paul Smecker: Fan-frigging-tastic.


Alfred Pennyworth: Why do we fall, sir? So that we might learn to pick ourselves up.


"Patriotism is supporting your country always and supporting your government when it deserves it. -Barack Obama "


Mahina: You know, I also have killed a lion.
Angus Starling: How many shots did you need?
Mahina: I used my hands.

Tour of Missouri, Stage 2

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I saw two things for the first time the second I got off the plane last night.

I am guessing for diabetes, anyone?

and this is kinda scary, when I mentioned it to someone there were like, well you have earthquakes in California, I reminded him that we have one worth mentioning every 10 years.




So it has been a rocky start for me at the Tour of Missouri. Threw no fault of my own I did not make my flight to Kansas City on Sunday night so I am a day late. Plus no Moto today but I did get a call from Velo News and they are running the shot of Carl Decker from the Single Speed World Championships so that was nice.

NOW FOR THE RACE




So bad, Neil is fating him up for Thanksgiving

They love Brad

The start, look closely for the American Flag

The kids here love this! Maybe they will grow up and not hit me with their cars?

Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia) two wins in a row

A really nice turnout, it is really pretty here I can't wait to get out on the Moto into the countryside and do it some justice.

guns and alcohol don't mix

Link to the Gallery for Stage 2

www.carsonblume.com



SSWC - 2008 Single Speed World Championships, Napa, CA

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Could it really be this simple? YES!

I had to get one!


Throwback! Hometown, I tried to by it off her, but no deal.


Carl Decker

Rachel Lloyd

OUCH!


and ouch!


crazes


To Fun!


My buddy Steve Tam, Represent Redding!


Curtis Ingles put on one hell of an event!

Figueroa Pain


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It was a very Cold, Wind, Hard day. Ice at the top and howling wind, but me and Hajo the German Banker from New York concord the mighty Figueroa! On our way back from Solvang to Los Olivos on Ballard Cannon Road we ran into Cody O'Reilly out on a training ride from Santa Barbara, crazy fast kid! We then had lunch at Panino and now I have to drive back to Redding, Saturday ride, here I come, rain and all!


Climb Climb Climb!


The Top.


The Pretty Wall


We Made It!


Panino, Yummy!

Los Positas Park & Tuckers Grove


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So I wished for mud and I got it, and the mud got me, I wish I brought my camera, I rode threw Los Positas Park which is right by my place. I rode down some switch backs and it was really tacky clay, it was so bad that it stopped me in my tracks and made my bike weigh about 50lbs and took me 10min to get the mud off enough to ride. I then continued on to Tuckers Grove which was a good ride but short, nice single track with a few creek crossing and mild rocky sections.