What's less than 3 pounds and sexy?

My new SS Siren Frame"> frame from Siren bikes. She's 2.93 pounds with a clear anodized finish. Brenden kindly put pink decals on it to keep the theme on my single speeds - my other SS is a Bianchi P.U.S.S. This is going to be the race bike, so I have spent the better part of last week pouring over parts prices and weights. I'm going for a 16-18 lb built-up bike, but we'll see what I can actually manage - light parts are expensive! So far I think I have decided on White Industries ENO crank and chainring, phil wood BB, King Kog, On One Mary Bar,Syntace P6 carbon seatpost. Still deciding on fork and wheels. Light suspension forks (3 lbs) are few, so my options are few. Wheels, depends on whether I go disc or rim brakes - I have yet to decide, the latter saving over 1.5 pounds.... so many options.

The end of blue dot watching

This morning, July 13, 2008 at approximately 3:37 a.m. Mary Collier of Siren Bikes completed the Tour Divide race. Mary completed the race in just under 30 days. She spent the last month riding from Banff Canada to Antelope Wells, New MExico. This womena is an inspiration. Only two woment have every completed, attempted, this even. Mary has demonstrated to all women that we can accomplish the same endurance goals as these crazy guys who show up again and again to do this race. Mary thanks for being the inspiration. When I think of the obstables, physicl and mental you must have gone through, the terrain you covered, the mountains you scaled on a bike loaded with gear, the lonely hours in the middle of nowhere - well, let's just say next time I'm feeling like crap or feeling whiney at a 24 hour race, I'll think of you and this amazing accomplishment and I'll buck up and keep pedaling!
MAry has a final gabcast on her blog, Siren Mary and it was awesome to hear the joy, emotion, and culture shock all in a short time! Way to go Mary!

Drunk Log riding and a game of Foot Down

So came home today from work and my left ankle is huge. My leg has been tender and sore since I wiped out riding down a downed tree obstacle Saturday night out in Gallup. Its progressivley more tender - so I am going to wait another day for my HIT workouts. Since I have been remiss to post, I have been mostly getting miles on the road bike (UGH!!!) since most of the mountain trails are closed because of fire danger and I have been doing high intensity workouts. I definately am getting something out of the HIT's but I think I really need a lot more long rides, so for the next several weekd I'm going back to my last year's weekend workouts of really long rides two days a week. If I don't I'm afraid I will not improve over last year's showing at the Sage. That was my first solo 24 hour race and I have another one under my belt now, so I hope to be able to get at least 9 or 10 laps this year.
Othewr than that I'm working alot because if all goes well Thursday I'll have a beautiful Siren Frame to start building into a light, fast race ride!
Ok, now to catch up on work since I spent most of the day checking Siren Mary's blue dot. See she made it to Cuba, NM and is being held back a little by storms. Hopefully by morning she can head out into reservation and get through Grants! Go Mary!!

What an Inspiration

I've been working with Brenden of Siren bikes the last few weeks on a new singlespeed frame. What an opportunity! The other half of Siren Bikes and the other half of Brenden, Mary Collier, is currently on the home stretch of the Tour Divide race. I have been addicted to watching Mary's blue dot (her GPS tracking Unit) move along the route and now that she is in New Mexico its even more exciting. I think Mary is only like the second female to every attempt this event, she's the only female to have started this year from Banff, Canada. Wow!! Mary's blog has a link to her Spot so you can see where she is. Mary is heading into Cuba, NM today. She's out riding in some of the most beautiful parts of NM right now and I am so envious. I don't want to be at work, I want to be out riding.