Austin Rattler 100

On an overcast morning in April, your author lined up his bike on a red dirt trail with several hundred other riders all prepared to race for 100 kilometers or fire road, single track, and granite rock gardens. Not my first bike race, but my first mountain bike race. There's a big difference. Racing always … Continue reading Austin Rattler 100

Frame Materials and Other Mysteries of the Universe

When last we spoke, I was contemplating the perfect bicycle frame. After many years of saving and some good fortune I am afforded the privilege of choice in this matter. I have always had an alloy bike, mostly because they were the most cost effective (cheapest) option. Going back to my Giant AL1.75 with XT … Continue reading Frame Materials and Other Mysteries of the Universe

To Finish First, First You Must . . .

Get a bike. A 103.5 mile mountain bike race will test not only the athlete, but his equipment. Where should I begin? My current MTB is a trail bike with 29x3" tires, a Trek Stache Plus Bike. I bought it in 2017 to get off the roads while training. That worked pretty well, until I … Continue reading To Finish First, First You Must . . .