There are a few reasons:

1. While I enjoyed the races and I love clinics, there’s a self-realization that I’m neither disciplined enough nor motivated to try to get to Cat 3. I’ll race throughout the season to provide team support and back-up but any plans for glory are not to be had.
2. Thursday night racing is expensive. Twenty dollars to race three times a night can hurt a bit.
3. I like cross better.

I don’t race road. I’m not interested in that aspect of cycling per se but there is another form of racing I’m intrigued by, while I’m waiting for fall — mountain biking.

I’m not sure if I’d even like it that much nor have the technical skills — I know so very little about what happens at a mountain bike race but it does intrigue me.

I do lack a bike for that though, having sold my old MTB a few years ago. Though perhaps I can whip something up with the team.

I jumped at the chance, if nothing more than to work with a framebuilder on their site (since many are frankly, not that good) and do some good work. A lot of the site came together frankly because the photography well for Frances was deep — both Joshua’s have a rich library of stuff to pick through. The yellow mixte that’s prominently featured on the homepage set the tone.

Initially slated for launch at NAHBS, it’s obviously late — but Muir was busy with NAHBS and some technical difficulties kept the launch delayed but I’m so very, very happy to see this one go live.

Muir builds in the utilitarian style but with distinct details and unique touches. He’s one of those framebuilders who will suggest what might be right for you. In full disclosure, I’m working with him on a custom and I’m pretty excited — it’s the first time I’ve been able to venture down the full-custom path and I’ve learnt enough to know that I leave a lot of the major decisions to the builder. I provide what I’d like to see but want the builder to perform his craft.

Enough said. Introducing Frances Cycles. He’s taking orders and his prices are very affordable, and wait list is short. Who could ask for more?

It’s not done yet.

I’ve been getting out at odd times of the day lately — super early in the morning or 10:30am or around lunch time. Depending on how warm the weather is and if I want to take advantage of the warmth we’ve finally been getting.

I woke up really early this morning and whacked out a quick 14 miler, at about 52 minutes door to door, burning 1011 calories in the process. Steady winds both ways, not too strong but you could feel them. I had put some slicks on the Ksyrium’s before the ride — making my cross bike a road bike for the second time under my ridership. It was faster, undoubtedly. Smooth. I have noticed that I might need to scooch my saddle forward a little though. Or switch out the seatpost for a zero-setback post or get a longer saddle maybe.

I’d like to do some longer rides soon.

Feeling pretty good about it. Winds were harsh.

A team ride of four made its way south yesterday in much colder temperatures, the wind against us on the way back north. It was character building as we slogged and spun. I was surprised and pleased at how well I was riding — the only real riding I’d been doing was in SF and most recently Austin.

Speaking of. The Austin Bike Crew were as always, ever gracious. Two bikes for The Girl™ and I, at our usage. Thank you Megan, Bruce. The weather was surprisingly on the chilly side for Austin but we rode anyway. I got to see Claire as well, twice and finally meet Whitney Moyer and his partner, Sabine. It was great having dinner with them all — Polvos is never a letdown. My only regret is that I didn’t get it together to head out to Whitney’s shop with him and visit.

Seeing Judah and talking with Judah and riding with Judah changes my outlook every time I see him. The same goes with Catano. They are both very grounded people who do things as they want to and not because it’s something they saw or read or someone persuaded them to. With bikes, because they aren’t competitive riders in the sense of being on a cycling team or such, they thereby have a more unique take on things. A more relaxed approach to riding bikes. Riding bikes to have fun. I know it’s easy to get caught up in upgrades and races and challenging oneself but with my highly decreased riding these cold, dark weeks, it made my feel guilty. It wasn’t until I was riding around in SF and realizing that it was a-okay to just ride, that I felt normal again. I was having fun.

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The Girl and I leave for Austin bright and early Friday morning. We’re hooking up with the good ol’ bike crew and Megan and Bruce are forever the gracious hosts. We have bikes awaiting once we hit town and for that I’m am grateful. I’m speaking at SXSW, if you’re there.

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On another note, I’m also writing here regularly, though with little to no bike content.

The hot o’ the press team kits are in. I need to get better shots but for my fellow teammates, they’re here!

On that note, I will keep this brief. There’s been snow, there’s been melting. I ride sometimes, I don’t others.

I’ll be riding again soon in warmer temps when we head to Austin from March 7th-12th for SXSW Interactive (I’m speaking & presenting) and where we’ll hook up with the Panda and Bruce for some Polvos and Good Times™.

I haven’t done a ride of any real length aside from last Thursday’s late morning ride which I needed to clear my head and ride solo. I keep meaning to call Zach one of these mornings but these days are a motivation killer. Aside to Zach: Thanks for keeping on asking about a morning ride — one of these mornings, it’ll happen. Certainly when the weather is a bit more co-operative.

I did take a short CX spin on Friday around Montrose in the late afternoon just to stretch the legs and try out the Michelin Jet tires I put on. They’re the green ones. Got them from new teammate Ed a while ago and never raced them this past season. Very little tread and they fly. Such a difference from the Bontrager Jones CXR tires.

Nothing illuminating here, just records of what I’ve been doing riding wise of late. Thursday, we leave for SF, where I hope to get some more enjoyable, nice weather riding in.

I spent the morning going through Teams of Portland and I loved the little look into the life of riders out there. I’m sad to yet again, not be able to go to NAHBS but there’s traveling to be done soon (more on that in a bit).

We’ve got a pretty interesting mix of things going on in Chicago. But perhaps because we’re next to Wisconsin, or that there’s a lot of history of cycling in the area that there’s almost too much going on. But thats probably a good thing. Riders all over, catering to different needs and styles and rides. Geographically, we’re vast. Little pockets of scenes everywhere.

As I write this, I’m smiling because I see a fella cruising along the sidewalk on a thick tired cruiser making his way in the snow and off Ashland, which to me, is one of the worst streets to ride on in the city.

The travel bit: off to San Francisco from February 14th thru the 18th with a possible side trip to Santa Cruz. The SF crew is always a pleasure to see again. And, Austin bound again in March for SXSW, where I’ll be speaking for the Interactive portion of the festival — a workshop called “Design is in the Details.” I’m looking forward to riding and reconnecting with the Austin crew.