Easton Rocks

So my fork broke...not a big break but it was broken. Apparently it was slightly broken from about October of last year until December (state championships). I went on a dirt road ride a few weeks ago and the steerer tube started creaking more than usual, so I took it apart (for the third time) and finally noticed a hairline crack under where the headset/stem clamps on. I called Easton, and after I sent the fork in for inspection, a brand new EC90x showed up at my door! Now that is customer service...

Up to...

Wow talk about a hectic end of school year...biking went to poop after Hanson Hills, which wasn't exactly stellar in itself.

Mike Seaman and I made the trek to the hills and it was a difficult day, at best. It was good to catch up with a few mtb/crossers (those that you rarely see road racing) there. 11th in the Expert 19-29 was all I could manage but that result was higher than I felt like I would get once we started. It was funny because there were four members of team 'fast' that took it out like a bullet. Two of them finished behind me after completely blowing up once the first lap was complete. I'd be telling a lie if I said I didn't want to do better, but my goals are realistic and focus on the months of September - December.

The race has been moving right along lately. We recently picked up more sponsorship from Gin Optics as well as got Cyclocross Magazine on board. I'm patiently waiting to hear back from a few others, but one HUGE help was landing Enervit...stay tuned for what their sponsorship is!!

Bike racing is funny to me...I go in shifts to liking road racing or mountain bike racing better (currently road racing is losing big time) but cyclocross has been on top by far since I went to my first race with Dennis (1998 State Championships at Pontiac Lake). I raced on my Trek 930 with a water bottle cage. I distinctly remember that hill right after the start...Some things just never leave your head.

My Easton EC90x fork is currently back at Easton to inspect a crack, so despite the fact that my 'cx bike is not running well I'm in 100% 'cross mode. Part of me wishes I could get this ramped up for early season road races, but part of me doesn't. I don't think I have enough mental energy to stay sane.

Good talk, see ya out there.

jb

Expensive 'CX News

If you didn't have any better way to spend $149...here's a new one:

Shimano Dura Ace 46T Chainrings

June 2, 2008

"You’ve seen them on the bikes of Sven Nys, Erwin Vervecken and Bart Wellens to name a few and you’ve asked “where can I get my hands on those babies”. Wait no longer. Now available, exclusively at Cyclocrossworld.com, are the Shimano Dura Ace FC-7800 46T 130 BCD Chainrings. These factory chainrings were produced in extremely low quantities for the top Shimano sponsored cross riders. The chainrings are super rare and are in very limited supply. This is one of the best shifting and stiffest cross rings on the market and a perfect compliment to your Dura Ace, Ultegra or 105 10-speed crankset. They will also work on many other brands of cranks for that matter, but they look really sweet on the matching Dura Ace stuff. Why settle for anything less?"

Hmm...any bikes in MI going to have these? (Not mine!)