SSWC 05 Champs

Tell me there isn't a better prize for winning a race!!



Marla Streb



Brian "Buck" Keich

SSWC 05

Singlespeed World Championships is this weekend. Damnit, I wish I could be there! Hopefully we'll see photos and coverage on the official site, but knowing the ss crowd, updates are likely. Either way, click it, www.sswc05.com. Next year, I'm going! Yunto?

Ride Log: Skyline Drive Loop

A fun little loop to the the northwest today. Shoulderless roads on West Q and heavy road construction at West Dodge/275, but overall this is a nice two hour ride. Skyline Drive was definately the highlight.

Mileage: 38 miles

Route: Home > Chalco Hills > Hwy 370 West > Hwy 31 North > Q St West > S 265th St North > West Dodge St East > Skyline Drive > Center St East > Hwy 31 South > F St East > Zorinsky Lake > Home

Ideal Wind: NNW

Highlights: Twisty, hilly roads on West Q dropping down to Elkhorn River, Skyline Drive.

Omaha Sprawl and Shoulderless Roads...

I had some extra time after work yesterday, so I headed out for a mini gravel loop. My usual gravel route starts at 180th and Giles. Today, I rode west on Giles, to 192nd. The last few times I've ridden this route, 192nd has been closed to the north from Giles. Well, its paved and open now. And guess what...there's no shoulder! Yet another of what will certainly be a busy road without a shoulder. Are there not enough funds in the roads budget to add a small shoulder to these roads? Its yet another example of how urban sprawl encourages people to drive their cars. Is Omaha THAT bicycle-unfriendly? I'm beginning to think so. Or is this typical of urban sprawl throughout the United States? I'd like to ride across or out of town without being forced to find my way through neighborhoods. And there ain't no way I'm riding on shoulderless roads in this city! I wonder if letters from cyclists mean anything to city planners and the department of roads. Think so?

Trail Cleanup at Platte

It looks like Mod and crew rode the west side of Platte Sunday morning. I often wonder why we no longer ride the trails on the west side of the park. Don't get me wrong, I love riding on the horsetrail side. We've created a really nice network of trails. It would be nice to do more than the usual two to three laps and back to the car. It just seems like were leaving so much trail unused! Is anyone else with me on this one? Is anyone interested in putting in some hours getting this side of the park cleaned up? I'm down for some work sessions, so let me know!

Rain = Perfect Trails!

Exactly what we needed! A good soaking tonight will make for perfectly tacky trails this weekend. Mmmm!!

Ride Log: Murdock Loop

Tuesday morning ride number two. Today I went south on Highway 50, along with about forty dumptruck + trailer rigs and tons of cars. Highway 50 is a busy road during the week, and to make matters worse, construction near Springfield eliminates the shoulder in spots. Fun!! Y'all watch yourselves...traffic + construction = sketchy! I stayed on Hwy 50 to Highway 1, where I turned west, toward Murdock. Riding shoulder-less roads is always a nervewracking experience for me. Having a semi tanker truck come within two feet of me on a shoulder-less road nearly caused me to piss myself. Uhg! On the east side of Murdock is 310th Street, I turned north on this quiet road, which ends at Round the Bend Steakhouse, near South Bend. I dropped into South Bend and climbed the beast of a hill out of the valley. As a side note, I think the climb out of South Bend, toward Platte River State Park, could be rated as a local Cat 1, maybe Cat 2, but thats another discussion. Then it was back to town on Hwy 50, and more dumptrucks and construction. Another fine route, with lots of hills....of course!

Mileage: 58.25 miles

The Route: Home > Chalco Hills Hwy 370 Parking Lot > Hwy 370 East > Hwy 50 South > Hwy 1 West > 310th St North > Hwy 66 East > Hwy 50 North > Hwy 370 West > Chalco Hills Parking Lot. (Mileage is starting from home, but if you're planning a group ride, Chalco Hills parking lot off of Hwy 370 is a perfect place to meet)

Towns: Springfield, Louisville, Murdock, South Bend

Notable Climbs: Hwy 50 South out of Louisville, Hwy 66 toward Platte out of South Bend. Many small climbs the entire way.

L&C

Hit L&C yesterday for a couple of mid-afternoon laps. Eff, it was hot! Of course, I was the only one in the entire park...as usual. I love this trail, there are so many fun sections. But, I hate the bitch-ass climb at the end of the trail! Yeah, I'm on a singlespeed (no singlespeed flames, please), but I've ridden it geared, and it still sucks! I have a question for the THOR folks. Is it possible to build a more friendly climb, utilizing the land between the existing climb and the road, or on the other side of the existing climb? It appears that we could build a climb with a less severe pitch, including a couple of switchbacks, and make it more fun for everyone. I'll help flag, and dig a new route! With a decent crew, I'd think we could finish a reroute in one day. Thoughts? Make a comment...

The End

The End, featuring Kirchart, Berra, Santos, Reynolds, Lasek, Klein, and Hawk. Crazy video. Released in 1998 (?), Andrew Reynolds is already proving to be the Jedi Master of the frontside flip, lofting a monster down a big set, over a handrail..and landing on the third attempt. If there was a need for further proof that Kirchart is an absolute maniac, look no further than this video. He carves a path of destruction in a utility van and rips it up with Jeremy Klein, over numerous business signs, gas pumps. Oh yeah, they set themselves on fire. Check it.

Commute Route Recon...

Sweet success! Yesterday, I was able to find a stealthy, low-traffic route to work. I thought I would be forced to negotiate a sketchy section of high-traffic road near work, but it turns out, there is a NO-TRAFFIC road around the backside of the office. He shoots, he scores! The commute will start next week...

Ride Log: Platte River State Park Road Loop

My first Tuesday off. Skinny tire ride time! I've been looking forward to doing a long road ride and I've had this road route on my mind for a while.

Route: Home > Hwy 370 from Chalco Hills to Gretna > South on Hwy 31 to Hwy 6 > West on Hwy 6 to Ashland > South 7th/W Park Hwy/Agnew Rd toward Mahoney State Park > Southbend > Platte River State Park > North on Hwy 50 > Home.

Mileage: 52 miles

This is a fun route with nice shoulders the entire way. BUT, don't ride this route for a while unless you're willing to ride on dirt and deal with construction! The road from Ashland to I-80 (W Park Hwy/Agnew Rd) is under construction. Luckily, I made it through. The road is open to local traffic, so if you're willing to ride on dirt for a couple of miles, go for it. I had to walk the last few hundred yards, where the road crews are actually working. Its probably hassle-free on Sundays though. I'd say this route might be more difficult if ridden in reverse direction, Hwy 50 South > Platte > etc.

Decahedron

Like Fugazi, Helmet, Jesus Lizard? Check out Decahedron! Damn, this band is good! Joe Lilly, from Fugazi is a founding member...you get the idea...