For Sale

Thomson Stem 90 x 15 x 25.4

Thomson Stem 110 x 5 x 26.0

Merry Christmas

I got cooned

cold nights / bright lights

I finaly caved in to the skate park thing. I put up a hell of a fight.
I barrowed a bike the other day and had a ball on a cold night ripping corners and jumping things. I was hooked.
After much internal debate, I decided that the skate park was more accesable than the ski mountain. Further, snow in the southeast can be elusive, although not his week. Since it was the right time of year to sell skis, they went on ebay and I traded them in on a skate park bike.
Last night Matt Stegall showed up, on a ride of his own, with his DSLR and got a few shots. I, like most cyclist, love getting my picture taken jumping things. Its in the nature of cycling that photography goes well with it. I remember taking pictures of jumping stuff as a kid. We'll I guess I'm just a big kid now.

Experimenting with Exposure

I took this the other day in Chattanooga at Heritage Park. I was playing with the long exposure setting on my Olympus Stylus, and let the exposure run for 10 seconds, half of which was still then the other 5 seconds I picked the camera up.

the other side

We were greated by Llamas as we entered the woods. Not sure where they came from, but it looked like they had broken free from a farm. Later we saw a fox, and a gang of wild turkey.
There was no snow at the lower elevations, but it didn't take long for us to climb into the snow.


Nearing the top of the first climb, we could see the Parkway ahead in the distance:






The top.

snow in the pines

Foothills Parkway was closed due to snow and ice.
I rode the Litespeed Appalachia to Look Rock Tower.

inspiration is ubiquitous

the pretty lights

2009 Tour de Lights - 3rd Annual
Knoxville, TN
Nearly 500 people showed up and rode in this years tour of the pretty lights; cyclist were decked out in costumes and lit-up!
After the ride, there were hundreds of bikes locked-up in front of nearly every bar and restaurant downtown. The AMBC had their Christmas party at Barley's and it was great to see everyone. We have a very cool organization that is gaining a ton of momentum building new trails in Knoxville. All I want for Christmas is dirt!
After the parties, I charged home in seemingly Arctic conditions. I stopped along the way and put on every layer I had, luckily I was on the Xtra-cycle so I had plenty. I was an epic ride home.

let it snow

For Sale:

Rossignol Scratch BC Sprayer

Salomon 1080 Foil Ski Boots

Norris->

I have a new route for Norris. As opposed to starting along the river, we parked in the town of Norris, by Archer's Market. It a cool way to come into the woods; leaving town and into the hollows. Other benefits from starting there include keeping the dogs off the road more, and being close to a killer beer store.

Norris->Eagle->Spooky->Highpoint->White Pine->High Point->Ridgecrest->Eagle->Archer's Market

your version of success is different from the rest

...you are the only one who dreams like you.



I ran into this guy downtown today. He looked obviously interesting, and I happened to have my camera right there. I went up to talk to him and he said "pictures $10." It was clear he gets that allot, and he was tired of it.
I recognized that the he was riding an Xtra-cycle and had a fancy Brooks saddle. He had left home on bike 8 years ago and had been on the road ever since. He had been all over. Home was Maine and he was heading to Nashville. Since I had ridden from Knoxville to Nashville, I gave him my route of choice. I don't think he was too concerned, and definitely was in no hurry.

all-star game 12-6-09

Single-speed vs. Gears

It was a perfect sceene for a fast ride around Raccoon Mountain. Snow at the top, dry trails and fast corners. I rode SS, 1speedBrian rode gears. Go figure. Victory was in the eye's of the beer-holder.


Raccoon Mtn; counter clockwise-> Electric Avenue->Laurel Point->River Gorge->Mega Watt->Six Flags->Grindstone Ridge->Split Rock->Small Intestine->Chunky->Chunky->out to the Terminal Brewhouse.