Call me a sissy but, ...........(Not out loud Jackhole).....This ash in the air is doing nothing for my riding. I rode this evening after work and I was coughing up a lung. I think my Saturday ride is out until this air clears up or the Santa Ana winds die down.

So looks like tomorrow is catch-up day. I promised I would do an "Art Project" for a friend's birthday present (need to finish it), I have a bike that is squeaky (I have to find the noise), I have a wheel I need to finish and a House that literally needs to be flushed. Big day....

Maybe I'll ride Sunday (maybe being the operative word).

I almost forgot!

iTunes:
The Shins, "New Slang"

Bike in the stand:
Reynolds Stratus DV clincher wheel

Socks:
SyCip Team wool crews

Good God it's been a long time.

Let's see lot's of wheelbuilding, bike repairs, riding, bbq's and work have kept me from updating this thing. I recently received some products that I need to review. I got a new helmet from Spiuk, a steel frame from Masi and some Royale GT's from SockGuy (go figure). The frame isn't built up yet so no reviews of that but, I have ridden with the helmet for over a week now.

Spiuk Nexion:
The Nexion has a novel system for fastening called COMPACTFIX, with millimetric adjustment.
It comes with an insect-repellant anti-allergic treated net and a system to prevent the loss of the helmet in the event of a fall.

It weighs 290 grams and is available in 11 colors apart from the colors of the official helmets of the Illes Balears (UCI Pro Tour) and KAIKU (Continental) teams.

Each helmet comes with a detachable visor.


At first glance the helmet looks a lot like a Bell mid-range model but, when you pick it up and really look at it you realize the difference. 290 grams is very close to the weight of the Uber expensive Giro Atmos. The interior net system is strange when you first put the helmet on, when you think about it actually is a great idea. Not only to block bugs and foreign objects but when you need to clean the pads, you won't have to worry about losing one. They are attached together via netting!
The best feature is the design of the "CompactFix" system. It has bowed out arms to allow your sunglasses to slide under. So many times I have slide my Oakley's under the strap and caused a nasty headache. I also like the padded chin cushion on the strap (also available on the Catlike helmets, ironically also made in Spain).

On bike review coming soon.

There are some great things happening over at the Crooked Cog Network. I met Tim this year at Interbike. He probably has the largest number of photo's from the show plus some great info.

Here are a few of the blog's you should checkout;

Twenty Nine Inches
Blue Collar MTB
Crooked Cog Podcast

To name a few.

So I updated my Blogger account to "Beta", yay? Different settings, different options, etc blah, blah, blah......

Well folks bikes keep rolling in and time keeps rolling by. Apart from work (SG & PBS) it's been quite busy around here. I got back from Interbike last weekend and fell back into my ride schedule.

Tuesday I went for a road ride after work, Wednesday I went on my night ride (Scott SG's new NSM went along), Thursday drinking with the guys and Friday I rode to work. This weekend was just as hectic; Saturday I went to Charlotte's wedding down in Mission Bay (Charlotte is SG's one woman art department). Let's just say I was dancing (If you can call it that) so you know there was drinking involved.

Today was all about cathing up on some repair projects I have been putting off. I am somehow glad to be back in the groove.

Bike in the stand:
DeRosa Diamante

iTunes:
DJ Quik "Tonite"

Socks:
JD's