Check out the new STI commercial... The looks are nice too, built on the Legacy platform...
And then the epic Colin McRae XGames run that's featured in the commercial...
In my never-ending quest of giving reviews that don't mean a damn thing to most people, today I'm mentioning BikeBlogCollection.com. Stated simply as "the best collection of bike blogs for people who ride", it seems to be a great way to ride vicariously through other riders not in your part of the world.
The cool thing about it though, is that it's primarily user-submitted, with a submission form on the side. It's not just a set of links that someone is out randomly scouring the net for, rather actual riders are submitting their blogs, looking for readers.
A blogroll link on the side provides all the categories one might think of when looking for interesting bike blogs, including Bike Advocacy, Bike builders, Bike culture, Bike Humor, Bike manufacturers, Bike mechanics, Bike Shops, Bike touring, Miscellaneous, Mountain bike racers, Pro Racers, Road racers, and Singlespeed or fixed. The links in the blogroll include the blog author's description as to why you should read their blog.
The featured blog each month is picked in a technogeek sort of way, the submission form states, "How can I get my blog as the Featured blog one month? When you submit your blog, you are begged to provide a link back to BikeBlogCollection. Google Analytics of the site shows where the most traffic to the site came from, how many were unique visitors, how many pages were visited, and how long was spent on the site. Those 4 factors are taken in to consideration, with the highest one becoming the featured blog each month. So basically, get the word out about BikeBlogCollection, and we'll get the word out about you!"
If you have time in your busy day, check out the site, maybe read a few blogs that look interesting to you, and submit your own, who knows where in the world they might be reading about your adventures.
I try to list the great and the terrible reviews. I try not to be biased, I just like when companies take care of their customers. I think it's totally unacceptable for a company to crap on your after you pay good money for their products and I hate seeing others get duped. To make it worse so many companies have customer service that don't read or listen to your question, cuts and pastes a response or reads it from a script, or generally tries to give you the runaround so you eventually give up. On the other hand, I think there are companies that go above and beyond in making sure their customers are happy.
On October 1 I attempted to list a car for sale on the popular Autotrader.com. Creating the ad online through their website would not allow me to list the trim of the car I was selling, while dealer listed ads had the trim listed. Since this was a car with leather, V6, etc I really wanted to list the trim level as that would make it stand out amongst the base model cars.
I tried calling, but like the majority of customer service centers now, the hours of operation weren't any time convenient for people who actually have jobs. So on the evening of October 1 I send this email:
"Hi, I was trying to place my ad today. I put in the VIN, the right trim, etc... When I went to post it just lists it as a "Honda Accord Sedan". I see others listed as their trim level such as "Honda Accord EX V6 Sedan", why can't I post that?"
"Thank you for using AutoTrader.com. I understand that you purchased a Magazine/Online Combination ad. Since all magazine listings and information must be maintained by the print office you will need to contact your local Trader Magazine office to place, renew or correct those ads. Ads placed with Trader Magazine are posted onto our website but unfortunately we cannot edit, renew, or make any changes to those ads and they cannot be edited on AutoTrader.com. All Trader Publications offices can be reached by dialing 866-678-2852. The magazine office must administer all Trader listings in order to keep the print and online copy matched. You can also find your local Trader office at http://www.traderpub.com/usaindex.html. Click on your state then the office closest to you. Then click on LOCATIONS to obtain their phone number. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Thank you for contacting AutoTrader.com!"
"Lame... I did this online through Autotrader.com... thankfully I never went through with the purchase process because it just didn't give me what I needed... I sold it in two days on Craigslist... thanks for making it WAY harder than it needed to be..."
About two years ago I purchased a Maytag MDE2400AYW dryer from Sears after the friendly salesguy there convinced me that the washer/dryer combination was much better than the all-in-one kind. I wish I'd never bought it... The washer works great, but the dryer is the biggest piece of crap I've ever had the luxury to grace my house.
I had purchased a Maytag dishwasher for my house a couple years before and it still is the most awesome and robust dishwasher I have ever used, so I thought I couldn't go wrong with a Maytag dryer. Usually I read reviews before making purchases, but this one the salesguy convinced me and I really thought all dryers were the same. I was wrong, after finding reviews I found this dryer was affectionately nicknamed "the dryer that doesn't dry".
The first load I ran in the dryer, the display said 1hr 36min. It took much longer than that and the clothes were still damp! I went online and called both Maytag and Sears. I was told I probably had lint buildup in my dryer venting and would need to clean that. Sure, I'll give it a try, my old dryer dried an entire load in 45 min, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. In my mind I was already thinking that my old dryer wasn't a piece of crap like this lemon.
I cleaned all the venting out, got new and tight metal venting from the dryer to the wall and tried again, same result! I called both Maytag and Sears again, but was given the runaround this time.
I had learned to live with it, resorting myself to the fact that doing laundry is an all day affair for a couple loads and finding creative ways to make that work. But now this piece of crap errors out midway through drying with a dreaded "3E" error on it's readout. I can let it sit for awhile and then start it back up, adding even more time to the already painful laundry time.
I went online and found lots of others again having the same problem, I contacted Maytag about the error and was given the number for a repair company that I could have come out at my expense. This dryer is less than 3 years old and it's NEVER really worked, going online I see tons of other people with the exact same defect. Great companies take care of their customers and fix problems when it's obviously poor engineering or design, I've had such great experiences with other companies like American Honda. I'm normally pretty brand loyal until a company proves to me that they're not worthy of my being their customer. I think rather than paying almost the cost of a new dryer to fix this thing that never worked anyway, I'll just toss it in to a ravine and buy a better one from a competitor.
A bunch of reviews can be found here, where others have the same issues.
I got ragged on today that I haven't posted any bike content in awhile and that I apparently need to get back on my bike because my blogs are getting weirder and weirder. I was hoping they would be entertaining, but I digress.
Anyway, next weekend I will be out in Fruita doing some of the classic rides so I'm sure some nice content will come from that. If you are looking to stalk me, well, just hang out at Over the Edge all weekend and you might see me...
Anyway, today I just wanted to give a quick shout out to Rock 'N' Roll lube. I've been using this stuff since Dave Horstmann from the Bike Shop in Marshall, MN recommended I give it a shot.
Choice of chain lube is about as varied as choice of tire and people definitely have their favorites. What I like about this stuff though, is that it's cleaning AND lubricating. Just apply it to your dirty-assed chain, spin it around a few times, and wipe it off. It will clean the chain pretty well, protect it for many rides to come, and not get that black spray crap all over your chainstay like some lubes do.
I don't know why most bike shops don't carry this stuff. It seems like a lot of the really good bike shops are just starting to catch on and have it in inventory, but it's been around for many years. Locally in Denver, I know that Salvagetti stocks it and they are conveniently just off the Cherry Creek trail near downtown.
You might be set on your current chain lube, that's cool, but if you have an open mind try picking one of these up, it might be the last time you use any other brand.
Absolutely the best mountain bike tires I've ever ridden... I picked up some Maxxis Ignitors on our 
team deal this year, I probably would have never considered them without the team deal as it's not the usual tire name you hear people throwing around...
First off, the Maxxis Ignitors are pretty light. I'm not the type that has my microgram scale to weigh everything, but they feel about the same weight as the Nokian NBX Lites.
Colorado trails are hard pack with a loose coat of sand most times of the year. That can make it awful tricky with fast, sweeping corners were you really need to lay it down to keep the speed good and high. Usually this can easily be accomplished with porky tires, low pressure, big knobs, skill, and a little good luck... I ran the Ignitors at 38-40psi all summer (I weigh 175 lbs) and they stuck like glue through the corners, despite their moderate knobbage. I got so comfortable and trusting of them that I really started to scare myself on the downhills at times. I did wash-out the front twice, but both times it was easily recovered with some counter-steering and nervous sweating.
We don't have a lot of mud in Colorado most times of the year, so I can talk a whole lot to their effectiveness in mud. The times I did use them in light mud they seemed to work great, but it was not the frame-clogging, concrete-forming kind that is encountered on the east coast.
Traction-wise climbing they seem great. I've never had a whole lot of problems with traction, so maybe I'm not the best judge of their abilities there. About any tire will have nice traction climbing if you stay smooth and balance your weight just right.
Tire choice is about as vast and opinionated as Shimano vs. Campy, but I hope we can pick up Maxxis again as a team sponsor so that I can get others to try this tire, I'm convince they'll be hooked... and they work with Stan's....
I love this store, but this time they've gone over the top awesome... Sounds like a blast and it's a great deal... For $50 you get Lodging, Dinner and Breakfast, Adventure Cycling Pint Glass, Adventure Cycling Socks, Raffles, Steamworks Brew, Bike Barrel Racing and lots of great Fruita trail riding.
I talked to them a little about it and they said they were going to have a giant tent (think Winter Park), a bonfire, and possibly even Yeti demos to try out.
What follows is copied verbatim from their site at http://adventurecycle.net/page.cfm?pageID=162
"After the Harvest Before the Snow"
Friday November 2nd, 2007
Riders Arrive: Rider Check In w/ Adventure Cycling Crew
Junction West Rv Park
793 22nd Rd.
Grand Junction, Colorado
Group Ride: Noon Departure - Grand Junction
"Gunny Loop" - A fun fast 8 mile loop that consists of 1250' of climbing!
Dinner: Bratwurst, Hot Dogs, Hamburger (Veggie Burger Option)
Side Dishes
ICE COLD Steamworks Brew
Evening: Cycling Swag Raffle
Saturday November 3rd, 2007 "THE EPIC"
Late Arrival: Riders Check in with Adventure Cycling.
Breakfast: Fruit, Pastries, Bagels
Hot Water - Oatmeal
Coffee, Tea, Juice
EPIC RIDE: (Option #1) 10:00 am Departure - Exit 15 Loma, Kokopelli Trail
Mary's Loop connected to Horsethief Bench with Steve's Cutoff. Two return routes. #1 Connect the fire road to the frontage road back to the parking lot. For the BRAVE, #2 return on MOORE FUN. Moore Fun is an extremely technical trail ith numerous rock ledges, drops, switchbacks, and adds approximately 4 miles to the total ride distance.
Option #2 10:00 am Departure - Exit 15 Loma, Kokopelli Trailhead
Rustlers Loop, is a beautiful 4mi loop with outstanding vies of the Colorado River. The trail contains mile markers with rider tips for new riders. This is a great ride for all riders, especially riders new to Mountain Biking.
Both Rides will be supported by Adventure Cycling Staff Members
Dinner: Hot Fresh Pizza Pie's provided by Hot Tomato Cafe.
Evening FUN: barrel Races
Group Games - Cornhole, washers, etc.
Oh, and MORE cycling swag!
Sunday November 4th, 2007
Breakfast: Fruit, Pastries, and Bagels
Hot Water - Oatmeal
Coffee, Tea, Juice
Group Ride: 18rd Bookcliffs
18rd provides true Fruita Singletrack! 18rd contains various loops for all ability levels from 5 to 10 miles in length. Maps will be provided. Alternative plans wil be provided if wet.
Call it weekend, Thank you for support of Adventure Cycling.
You always hear the hype "they" say about eating your fruits and vegetables. Several months ago I had abdominal pain that wouldn't go away. I ate *fairly* healthy, got decent exercise, drank very moderately, didn't smoke, stayed away from sugar when I can, avoided high fructose corn syrup like the plague, etc. After concerned doctors convincing me it had to be something terrible, I decided I needed to eat even more healthy.
Someone had told me about a service, Door to Door Organics, that brings a box of fruits and vegetables to your home each week, it's like having your own personal farmer's market. I decided it was time to give it a try. Every Tuesday when the new box arrived was like Christmas to me, I'd gorge myself on fruit that day and still have tons left for the rest of the week. Now, mind you, I still make bad choices like going through the drive-thru at Good Times (although their meat is antibiotic-free, happy cows make tasty cows) and getting the mega-burritto at Chipotle every now and then (also antibiotic-free), but overall I have so much fruits and vegetables that my stomach doesn't have room to eat much else.
To be Captain Obvious, I was really fucking surprised at what a HUGE effect it had on health markers. I ate *mostly* healthy before the mega fruits and vegetables kick, but now when I go in to the doctor, my pulse walking in and sitting down is 56. It was 64 beforehand, so it's not a huge difference, but... My blood pressure on average is 102/70, down from 110/70. But here's the biggest kicker, my cholesterol was borderline concerning to doctors before, it's dropped so low now that it's on the bottom end of average.
All from eating enormous amounts of fruits and vegetables, who woulda thunk...
With the risk of sounding like a whiny little bitch and getting angry comments from promoters... One thing that really bums me out lately is the incredible amount of price gouging that seems to be happening at events big and small. I know insurance costs are rising and I'm sure all that donated Accelerade doesn't just make itself without the help of unpaid volunteers, but I long for the good ol' days (pre-2000) when a rider could sign up for an event for around $15-20.
It's getting harder and harder for me to see what value these events provide to competitors for the huge entry fees required. Usually a rider gets a t-shirt, all the donated and nasty Accelerade he can drink, port-a-potty usage, and sometimes (usually not) a meal afterwards, and that's about it. Some events, like the Firecracker, give extra schwag and do put on a great race, but the cost of admission is still high enough I might think twice about it and go do some fun ride instead.
Some of these events donate to charities and I find that very admirable.
Here are just a few examples of some recent fees:
Elephant rock
$50 plus Active.com fees
24 hours of E-rock - adding insult to injury, this is a pretty boring course, not even on singletrack and with no real climbing, 8 short miles per lap
$225 - Solo
$530 - 4 or 5 person team
24 hours of Moab - this is an epic race on a fun course and I'd be all over it if not for price gouging
$310 - Solo early-bird, $340 at race time
$120 per person for 4-5 person teams early bird, $150 per person at race time
Add $10 per night per person for camping
24 hours in the Sage - this race at least doesn't penalize solo riders for riding more
$130 - Solo (not bad at all for solo)
$125 per person for 4-5 person teams
Firecracker 50
$65 individual pre-registered, $75 race day
Danskin - women's triathlon catering to first timers
$70 individual pre-registered, $75 race day
And lastly, one of my favorite series, that so far has not price-gouged at all (if you do the whole series). Their events stay affordable and continue to be a blast. If a person stays around after races, he could easily get the entry fee back in raffle schwag.
Winter Park - a great series and no price gouging for whole series riders
$140 individual for a SIX race series ($23 a race), $160 for late registration
$35 for single race registration the day before, $45 the day of
With the trend of prices going up and people lining up to do them in gaggles, easily hitting the race caps, I just wonder how high prices will go before riders revolt and say no way!
