Um Guys, Is That What I Think It Is?

In a town where fat bikes are a dime a dozen it takes a special bike to turn my head in the dead of winter.
Case and point, I saw this gem locked up at the USGS office when I got to school.

I'm operating under the assumption that I'm mistaken, but I have a hunch it might be one of the bikes that helped create "a whole new sport."  I'm thinking it is a 1981 Specialized Stumpjumper.  I'm looking at you Nick and Andy to verify or dismiss my hypothesis

 

It's welded, the '82 was lugged. The downtube decal says 'Specialized'.  The later years said 'Stumpjumper'.

I would apologize for the crappy cellphone pictures, but I'm not sorry, I was in a hurry.

I'll see if it's there again tomorrow and perhaps see if I can figure out a few more details.

\

The red Raleigh on the left belongs to a former classmate of mine, I plan on asking if he knows the owner of that vintage steed.  Oh, and for those of you into fat bikes, that is in fact a Surly Moonlander just creeping into the lower right corner of the picture.  Size small frame I believe.

In other news, Tarik let me into his club.  Got this excellent postcard in the mail:

You'll have to take my word for it, but the front of the postcard was equally awesome.

Tarik, if there is a way to procure a small stack of those, apparently custom made, postcards let me know.  I'd love to mail them far and wide.

While I am admittedly proud to be the only member in Alaska, I'd like to see that distinction changed to 'first'.  There are some fine folks up here who would make great club members.

Tarik Saleh Bike Club 100 Challenge Wrap Up

Tarik Saleh Bike Club 100 Challenge Wrap Up:

Did I ride 100 miles?

-no

Did I ride everyday of the challenge?

-no

Did I ride more than I would have otherwise?

-yes:
 I rode to and from Christmas dinner (9mi), I towed Little wRider around for a couple of hours, and  I snookered my brother into a bike ride just before midnight on New Years Eve, and I did  at least 3 "no ride too short" rides late at night just for the TSBC 100Challenge.

As such, I successfully completed the TSBC 100Challenge (option 3).

That's it, I successfully completed The Challenge!
I won't tell you it was easy, but I will tell you that you too could do it if you put your mind to it.

I'd like to thank Tarik Saleh for organizing and putting on the challenge.  His efforts are greatly appreciated.

I'd like to thank my wife for her love and support in completing The Challenge and bankrolling my bikecycle habit.

I'd need to thank Little wRider for tolerating the hours of Chariot time without screaming once bribed with tortilla chips.

And I'd like to thank my brother for joining me on the New Year's Eve ride regardless of what condition he may or may not have been in.  (Although the punk did break a chain right at midnight, which resulted in me trading bikes with him and running/scootering/coasting the last 4 miles of our ride.)

The Tool Park Doesn't Make and The Tarik Saleh Bike Club 100mile Challenge

Had a more dramatic than usual crash this week.
I came through unscathed.  My left brake lever smashed into a small stump and rotated to where it was pointing straight down.

I use cork bar end plugs on most of my bikes.  Looks like somehow in crashing the left bar plug was pushed a ways inside.

Apparently one of the few bike repair scenarios where Park Tools doesn't have me covered.

Had to make do with what I could find around the house.

Haven't posted much lately but I am pleased to report that over the holidays I along with a few other actively participated in  the Tarik Saleh Bike Club 100 mile challenge.

Amazingly lousy weather (combination of both sub-zero and slicker than slick water on ice conditions over the course of the challenge) and parenting responsibilities made option 3 of the challenge the most realistic for me this year. 

"Remember, club rules are 1. Ride bikes, 2. Try not to be an ass. And in this case, at least ride a bit between Christmas eve and New Years and then tell me about it." - Tarik Saleh

I've always liked that rule #2 simply asks that you try, not that you necessarily succeed.  That's the kind of club I can be on board with.


I still have to email Tarik Saleh my results from the challenge.  I'm hoping I haven't missed the window of opportunity to receive a button.

I'm already looking forward to next years 100mile challenge.

Lance

If Lance Armstrong says he doped, then he most definitely DID NOT.

The man hasn't spoken an honest word about doping the past fifteen years, and I'm not about to start believing him now.