The race is on to get this light climbing bike built up before Tour das Hugel (TdH) this year. TdH is an “unofficial” bicycle ride that takes place every year down in Austin, Texas which consists of ~110ish miles ~12,000 feet of elevation. After participating for the first time in 2021 I decided to make…
Category: Interests
My 2024 Cycling Calendar
This is just here for me to keep track of what’s going on. Feel free to ignore, or say what’s up if you see me out there dying. DATE EVENT TERRAIN BIKE MILEAGE March 16 The MidSouth (reg) Gravel 696 ~100 March 22-24 East Texas Showdown (reg) Gravel 696 ~400 May 16-19 Rule of Three…
We Ride South DIY Rocker Plate Plans
I initially set out to provide the lowest cost, highest value, rocker plates to the masses because (at the time) the highest functioning rocker plates were $1,000+ USD. With inspiration from the Rocker Plates Facebook group I came up with the V1 of the Ride South rocker plate which I released the plans for free….
The Bikepacker’s Guide to Spinisty’s Dallas2Austin Stage Race 2022
Intro Bike Check Pack List Question & Answer Introduction Ignore the title, I’m a fraud. I’m am not qualified to call myself a “bikepacker” nor am I qualified to guide anyone… in any form or fashion… in any subject. BUT, it’s a good title amirite? Anyway… this is my first “bikepacking” adventure, as far as…
2018 Cannondale F-Si Carbon 5 AKA Slimer
Buyers Remorse and Incessant Complaining I bought this 2018 Cannondale F-Si Carbon 5 the other day (October 2021) for $1,500 and immediately began regretting my decision. I initially offered $1,200, but the seller insisted that he had to get $1,500 out of the deal, so I caved on impulse decision and went and picked it…
J&L 10g Ultra Light Seat Post Clamp Failure
Well, 2500 miles later and I have my first J&L failure. When I initially purchased this clamp I didn’t read the title very well and assumed that the entire clamp was made from titanium. This is not the case. The clamp is made of aluminum and the bolt is titanium. Either way, the lower front…
DIY Pro Race Bike Stand
Ah, the old “pro” race bike stand. People will finally stop screeching at me in the YouTube comments about how I clamp… or don’t clamp my carbon fiber frames. After analyzing actual “pro” bicycle work stands such as the Park Tool Team Issue ($339.95!!!) and Feedback Sports’s Sprint Stand ($294.99!!!) I realized that there isn’t…
ZTTO 54T Ratchet Upgrade for DT SWISS 350/240/180 Hubs
Woof! I’m not here to debate the oh-so-controversial “degrees/points of engagement”, but I am here to offer you a cheaper more affordable Chinese solution for your DT Swiss 350/240/180 hubs if you are a believer in the effectiveness of increased engagement points/decreased degree of engagement. I also want to say that I do not own…
DIY Indoor Trainer Rocker Plate
What is a Rocker Plate? In essence, a Rocker Plate is a device which allows the trainer and bike to tilt from side to side, more accurately simulating the real life motion of riding a bike. Proponents say it increases comfort and makes long rides more forgiving on those sensitive parts of the anatomy that…
A Note On Two Piece Rear Derailleur Hangers
I have made several comments on some of my YouTube videos in regard to LightCarbon’s stock rear derailleur hanger for their gravel frame LCG-010-D. Since then I’ve been getting a few questions asking to clarify what I mean by this. This article aims to answer some of those questions. Let’s start from the beginning. LightCarbon…