So, about the MOOTS...

The Six Hours of Warrior Creek allowed me to get very familiar with the new Meatplow in a very short amount of time. I had my concerns about how long it would take to get friendly with the way it would ride since it was sort of a blend between a few different bikes I've ridden over the last year.

From a fit standpoint I think I'm still gonna tinker around with a few options. Layback post, 60mm stem, 70mm stem... yeah, I'll probably end up near where I started, but I'll feel better about the decision when I hate the other options after trying them. Comfort-wise I had already decided to swap the 355 front rim to a Flow (which will soon be on the way). I want the increased volume back, and dare I say I think the 355 flexes noticeably more than I want my front wheel to flex? The Niner fork does a great job soaking up the rough terrain, so I think I made a pretty good choice there, besides it looks very moto.

The last three bikes I mounted my Hayes Strokers to had issues with the lever contacting the top tube. I really stared at the drawing for a long time hoping we had solved the problem with the sloped top tube and appropriate length head tube. It all worked out, so I can stop worrying about ruining my levers or my top tube.

Sliders. After all these years of happy EBB use I can say that sliders are pretty sweet too. It mighta taken me five minutes to adjust my EBB (including the time I spent searching for my tools), but I would say it takes seven minutes to adjust the sliders. I haven't actually timed either one of the processes, so these are just guesses as either method is greatly effected by the varied locations of the appropriate toolage. Speaking of toolage...

I've been messing with different tools to spin the 8mm tensioning bolts. The 8/10mm open end wrench on the far right was a ground score at work (two days before I got my MOOTS) which will probably see the 10mm hacked off with the intentions of throwing it in my pack for emergencies. The 8mm box end works well, but has to be re-positioned a lot for true success. The ratchet works, ummmmm... okay, but since there's so little resistance on the bolt you have to hold the socket for true ratchety goodness. I have yet to try either driver, but I like the cute yellow one on the right (actually a 5/16, plus close enough for government work) , since it was also an opportune score, but the big gray one has sentimental value since my dad lifted it from the USAF back in the day. I guess we shall see.

The position of the sliders in the above photo is with a 32X18 gear and a brand new PC-1 chain. The chainstay length works out to be 17.75" with that set up, which happens to be my local gear. There's still 5/16" of forward adjustment, and I'm hoping that's enough room for me to throw on my 19T and maybe even my 20T cog. I haven't had time to mess with it yet, so we shall see.

That was pretty boring, wasn't it?

I did mention that I wanted to talk about the Warrior Creek course. I hate to be too short in my description, but I wanted to mention that I have never ridden any trails anywhere like the ones in N Wilkesboro. They've got almost 40 miles of trail up there, and they're constantly adding more. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, stop going to Tsali all the damn time and come to North Wilkesboro next time. The trails are way more fun, a lot less crowded, the camping is way more available, and (if you live east of Asheville) way more closer than Tsucki. I mean just look at this (some other photos here, including a good looking, but blurry guy in a BKB kit):

photo credit: Kinetic Images

I'll be outta town on a non-biking type trip till next week, so I've got a question for you to mull over and answer.

Should I:

A. Go back to the Shenandoah Mountain 100 for the fourth year in a row? It is the funnest hundie out there, I've had great luck there (1st fixie 2006, 2nd SS 2007, 3rd SS 2008), camping and food are included in the price, all the cool folks are there (Tomi, Elk, Topher, Timmy, Buck, etc), I have travel companions from Charlotte, and it requires no unpaid time off work....

or

B. Take a plane ride to a lengthy car ride to meet up with some fine folks (names and certain information withheld to protect the guilty) and do the Dakota 50 (not to be confused with the Dakota Fanning). I would have to take two unpaid days off, leave the family for a few more days (with SSWC09 right around the corner), and pack/prepare/spend a lot of time in planes, trains and automobiles, but I get to see South Dakota and meet a whole new bunch of freaky folks.

Whaddaya think??

What would Ice do, baby?

photo cred: Faces of Dicky

Late edit: The poll is somewhat lopsided so far, but I left something out. Consider the out of pocket expenses a wash, and the company to be had at the Dakota 50 quite exclusive, no... make that interesting... well, at least very, very interesting.