Chris King News

A new color



MTB United Brown

"Nobody does color like Chris King. Maybe it's the Northwest and all that coffee but is there a color any more rich and lovely right now than brown? Available in all component models."





A new product



"We've been making our own sealed bearings here at King for over 32 years and never has there been a component that benefited more from their strength and durability than the bottom bracket. Yes, the Chris King bottom bracket is here and ready to take on the most challenging conditions your cycling adventures can deliver.

The Chris King bottom bracket is specifically designed for Shimano-compatible external type crank/bottom bracket systems and delivers every benefit you've come to expect from King and in the wide array of colors only King can do.

An available grease injection tool allows the bearings to be purged of existing grease and debris and new grease run through. What better way to maximize the life of your bearings than to do routine maintenance? Especially when it's this easy.

Racers take note! With the Chris King bottom bracket and injection tool, you can train day-to-day with a durable high-viscosity grease and race with a light, fast-rolling low-viscosity grease or oil. Imagine your current Friday night leg-shaving ritual finishing with a few minutes in the garage to get your bike as smooth as you are."






Oh la la! The brown is beautiful. Beautiful brown. The bottom bracket is spendy ($129 MSRP), BUT 5 year warranty, and you will be able to purchase an attachment for your grease gun that will allow you to purge old grease and introduce new grease.

Once I wear my Shimano out...........

Hermann Movies

Intermediate Race



Advanced Stairs



Advanced Start

This Past Weekend

Did two fun things this weekend:


Rode the Dog Prarie Century.

The century ride was enjoyable, I think it turned out to be a bit over 101 miles from start to stop. Rolling hills almost the entire time. Nothing too steep or long. It was on many of the roads that we ride on a regular basis, but also ventured out a bit further to some new ones. Matt was gracious enough to not leave me in his dust. He could have finished in under five, but we finished in just under six hours, including a few refueling stops and ten minutes or so to talk to his family. The route went right by their house. We weren't racing or pushing the pace (nor was anyone else I don't think except for the time trial helmet guys) but we still managed to turn in decent times compared to the rest of the 125 folks. We spent all but fifteen minutes or so riding by ourselves. Those fifteen minutes we spent with three other guys, the five of us taking turns pulling. I've only gotten to do this a couple of times, but you can really maintain a higher speed when grouped up like that. We were just cruising along at 24-28 mph, with the only person working being the guy in front. It was a really cool feeling.


Watched the Hermann Cross Under the Lights cyclocross race.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with cyclocross, you should check it out. I imagine it is the most spectator friendly cycling discipline for a few reasons(I'm no expert, but this is what I've noticed): the course is usually short with multiple laps, the race times are short 30-60 min., venue is more urban like a city park, obstacles abound like barriers to jump, sand and mud pits, stair climbs, it seems spectators are allowed, maybe encouraged to be rowdy, drunken, spray beer on racers, taunt them with bells and dollar bills, overall fun atmosphere.

This particular race was at night under the lights, and it was the first of the local cross season. Lots of racers, lots of spectators, lots of beer, lots of fun. Jess and I met David, Matt, and ToddandKaren there, as well as a number of other folks we know, racers and spectators, including (thanks for the PBR).

Check it out in your home town.

Burning Rules

As stated on the Burning Race Flyer, AMTRI Endurance Racing Rules apply. Ignore the classes on the rules, follow the classes on the flyer.

Brown Derby beer choices

How do. Zac's gonna be gentlemanly enough to bring a keg from Springtown for the October lakehouse weekend, and oh yeah, it'll be from Brown Derby. Ahh, nostalgia. We need some suggestions. BD management said they can get almost anything available around the midwest, including micro brews and imports. So please post some suggestions. Please reply with any and all suggestions EXCEPT domestic light beers and anything a sorority girl would enjoy (unless you can come up with a good reason we should drink it.)

Tall Oak Challenge Report

RESULTS

Seagal Writeup

Some Pics

Short and sweet.

Last weekend Jess and I headed down to Jeff City, she to kayak, me to ride. Made it to Binder Lake around 10:45 AM. Race started at noon. Lake looked beautiful, about a fourth the size of Council. Part of me was jealous that she got to head out on the boat, I'd love to go with her, the rest of me was preparing for the next six hours. Got the boat down, registered, tent set up next to the Seagal boys, food and drink ready, bike ready, changed, racer meeting, GO. That's what it felt like, as I was a bit pressed for time.

I'd never ridden Binder so had no idea what to expect. Lap one was typical for a first lap. They always seem to go by so quick due to the congestion and excitement. The course was twisty and fun.

Laps just kind of slid by, 7 or 8 miles a piece. It was awesome to have Jessie there at the tent. I loved seeing her there reading, relaxing, hanging out. When I'd come in to pit she'd be there with a big smile getting me anything I needed and asking how everything was going. Looking forward to all that made it easier to spin each lap. Rode a lap with Casey Ryback again, we always seem to run in to one another and talk a lap away, it's great.

Around 4:30 PM my right leg cramped a bit. That was weird as that really never happens to me. I backed off and danced just below the line of reoccurence to finish up that lap. At the tent, I had a banana and a GU, hoping to fend off any more cramps. Worked fairly well, aided by me holding back a bit. I could tell if I pushed it the cramps would fire right back up.

Came in from my eighth lap at 5:58 PM or so. Could do another lap, but wasn't overly excited about it. I asked the scorers where I stood, they said seventh. They said if I went out again I'd have to catch the guy who went out fifteen minutes ago if I wanted to move up. Not possible. I said thanks, I'm done. Went to the tent and sat down, Jess handed me the lone Bell's Porter that I had brought. Yum. Grabbed two free hot dogs and a free cheeseburger. Double Yum.

We packed and watched as they gave out awards and did the raffle, and by the time they were done, we were out.

Red Wheel Bike Shop did a great job with this event. It was very well run, tons of raffle stuff, schwag, and free food.

Looked at the results and I finished eighth out of forty. Could've moved in to seventh if I went out again but who cares. I had a great time and am very pleased with the outcome.

Nightin'

Went for a night trail ride this evening and I just wanted to post up an endorsement. If you have never or not recently ridden your rig at night...on a trail...in a wooded area...then you should or should again. It's Super Fantastic! First off, it's cooler. Also, there's nobody out on the trail. These two things are reason enough, however; the actual ridin' part is the best of all. Regardless of your light, your gonna have a more limited field of view. Your beam is pointed ahead, so small obstacles fade into darkness as they get closer and you just ride over them--sometimes by surprise. Large obstacles look obscure (especially if you've seen them before) and the trail itself can seem all new. The eyes are the best though. I probably saw 25-30 sets of green, orange, red, and yellow eyeballs glaring back at me. It's erie, especially when you add up the eyes, the sense that this is not a trail you know, and the feeling of being alone in the dark. Boom. For real. Try a night ride.

Sorry, no pics.