Doppelganger Grudge Match!

Since people have been confusing us, Matt Setzer challenged me to a grudge match at the Greensprints in Omaha a few weeks ago. He kicked my ass...





Which one is me?












Socks ready for action.












Shot and a sprint?

RAW

Materials.

New from Primal Wear...

... feels vaguely familiar.

Sam on the Concept of Doing a War Axe Embrocation Blend...

"I love it.

Schmedium heat.

Wind barrier, sure.

Light bronzing.

Spermacide.

Just kidding on the last one. This actually makes me excited. I feel very inadequate on the embrocation front..."

Ka Blam!

And I Thought I Was Having A Tough Day...

I think this little guy has me beat.

The long weekend saw a continued effort to add more base miles to the cause. Overdressed and surprisingly tired from the day before, Sunday saw Sam drag me South on then back again. It's shocking to see how much work I have in front of me to get back to what was my mediocre best. Long rides, here we come...

Friday - Wilderness 101

The park is in prime condition. Large hawks, deer (dead and alive), comfortable temps and the pleasant surprise of riding with Paul Chapman for a stretch. Being the only two guys on the trail certainly had some advantages.

Lucas Marshall reads my blog, sort of

He looks at the pictures while someone else reads it to him. He also couldn't deal with the inaccuracies of the last post, so here it is, the (almost) correct colors.





















New t-shirts, available after black Friday, but before Christmas, we promise.

NECX Day 2

What a cold weekend. I kept telling myself that the sun was gonna burn through the clouds any minute. It never happened.

A report from the Champ himself on the fast race. Down in the lowly singlespeed category I spent the weekend chasing Rafal around the course(s), never able to close it down. Like him, I'll be re-commuterizing the bike in hopes of keeping most of the slush off during the winter riding. Hopefully, we'll luck out and not have ice on the side-streets for 2 months. Fingers crossed.

New T-shirts will be done any day now. Same design as before, but simplified to a single color. Gold ink on brown shirts will be the recipe. Yes, I know the graphic has a blue background, deal with it, I promise the shirts will be brown. We also have 4 styles of socks, 3 colors of coozies and wicked-awesome belt buckles that make great stocking stuffers!!! (Ouch, that was so cheesy it hurt.)


Alright then. Everyone stuff your faces for Thanksgiving so Skip and I can keep up on the group rides easier! See you out and about.

NE CX Day One: Mark Was Promised a Jet Pack

As soon as the group came off the road and on to the grass on the opening lap of the "fast" race, today, I turned to ask Sam where MOD was but then Nate caught a pedal and suddenly two Evil Unicorns were off the back. (Do as we say boys, not as we do!)

We could tell something wasn't right, saw Anne peel off back toward the start and, then watched them work their way back up. Mark, "as mad as he can get," just kept coming throughout the hour and managed to work his way back to third on the day. That, is the definition of "Killing It."

This is as close as I got to getting Sam in frame. Pathetic.

Scott maintaining good hydration.

Screw this... we're gonna bridge!

"Say What Again"

This has zero to do with bikes. Visit TheOatmeal.

Lincoln Cyclocross Weekend!

Two days of CX racing this weekend at Pioneers Park.

Details here.

It's fun to participate and it's more fun to watch.

Exactly What Would Happen If I Tried It...

The Isolationist

JB: Pure Class

Jeff Bonsall sent the following, reprinted without permission, out to the usual TI suspects here in Lincoln. A class act and great sense of humor.

Subject: TI V 7
Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2010 16:51:31 -0500

Hey fellas,

I would like to apply for the support crew position at the big ass loop in Iowa. I have been to 4 in a row and feel like it's my turn to give back.

My resume includes:

4 TI starts.

0 TI finishes.

I believe my resume speaks for itself.

Sincerely,

jb

Our New 7"

When we first put socks into the scene, a black/white version seemed obvious. It worked well with our boys at Monkey Wrench and essentially matched everything.

Those socks were 6" and, while sweet, after a while, and particularly after going to 7" inch with the Brown and Blue, we found ourselves wishing they were longer.

Now here they are.

7" Black and White. "Lincoln, NE" for the love of the scene. Watch for them in the War Axe online store soon. If you can't wait, send us a shout.

Don't Call It A Comeback

It's been a long time since I've joined a group ride. So long, in fact, that I can't even remember when the last time might have been.

After going to the now closed South St Cultiva, I got the proper location from Corey and meet a small group for what I hope is the first in a string of rides returning me to my usual riding habits.

Now Skip won't have to ride so far to get his Casey's fix

http://journalstar.com/news/local/article_e07f5a20-e766-11df-aaf3-001cc4c002e0.html

Shore the Core

On Friday I delivered my freshly mended IF Ti Planet Cross to MWC and as I strolled in, saw Sam sitting on a red leather chair looking a little drawn from the week. A little casual chit-chat later and he was asking me how my back was feeling.

"It's getting better. Still a little stiff. We need to go for a short spin some time and see how it feels."

"Maybe you should do some pilates or something similar first so you don't jack it up again."

Exhausted from the week and the guy is still smarter than I am.

Two yoga sessions on Saturday, along with some core work. The back is still tender, but the body is happier for the effort.

Head tube badge and a limestone airbrush

Mopac Warrior

War Machine Sighting: Sir Tony Wilhelm...

... with a cameo by Dave Averill as well, MWC style. Thanks, Jamie.

New Build

While I wish I was referencing another War Axe build, in fact, the real work in my immediate future is getting back into some sort of fitness.

Two weeks ago, my back decided to look more like the twisting Highway 17 leading from San Jose to Santa Cruz than I-80's straight run through western Nebraska.

While I wouldn't say I'm completely starting over, there is a long way to go. As of this morning, my third chiropractic visit in two weeks just confirmed the problem. At this point, just getting back on the bike will be nice, since I am only now beginning to walk normally.

Maybe by the time my bike is ready, I'll actually be able to ride it.

Enjoying Sunday

Intelligence from the Front

This might be better titled, 'Rumors and Loose Plans," but that really wouldn't go well with the folks in our marketing department... So, near to far:

Nebraska cross has started and, to paraphrase Sam, 'it'd be crazy if we were both actually racing.' While I am doing my best to ruin that plan with a bad back and lack of a proper bike, Sam's already in the mix.

Look for an updated War Axe T-Shirt coming to an MWC near you. Right now, we've got three XL's and that's it.

The rumor that I've claimed my slot for 2011's TransIowa is true. Not only am I ready to go back, but it is likely one of the few races that work into a busy family schedule.

A more tightly kept rumor is also true... The Evil Unicorns are poised to ride again. You maybe recall a few years ago, Nate, Mod, Sam and I did quite nicely racing Single Speeds down at Landahl. To quote Sam, "I'll actually train this time." Plus, it's been blogged, so it has to happen.

And lastly, a shout out to friend of the show, Cameron Chambers. He's your new SS 24hr National Champion. We love that guy and are incredibly happy for him.

The Random Singing You've Heard in the Distance...

... is just me riding through Wilderness with this in my head. Feel free to sing along.

White Socks: Only to be Worn with a Sense of Irony

If you pay even less than strict attention to the world of Rapha, you will have likely noticed that Rapha UK and Rapha US will periodically debate the merits (or lack thereof) of white socks.

Without argument, white socks have their place. When you are five years old, constantly lose socks and need to buy them in packs of six, white socks are functional and cost effective. If you're Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, playing for the Houston Oilers in the late seventies and eighties, it is certainly a reasonable way to dress. For the well-rounded cyclist, who is equally comfortable in the dirt, on gravel, the cross course and the road, white has little place in your War Axe wardrobe.

Certainly, great cyclists in the past have donned white socks, but do we really want to walk back through the fashion mistakes of cyclists past to show how such an argument really fails to stand up? (Okay, the one orange sock is a nice touch.)

We're finalizing an order of black War Eagle socks with a 7" cuff via Sock Guy today. Think of them as the Quasi Team MWC sock. Same colors. Same Lincoln pride. You'll never see White from War Axe.

After all, White equals surrender. Save the white socks for a Halloween costume, not your next ride.

Putting in the Pain

Photography skills from Lucas Marshall

In the Works

Friends in Low Places

While it's fairly annoying that this kind of a picture is actually held by copyright, it must, must be shared. With love, of course.

Twinsies.

Work continues

on frame number two. This will be a single speed cross bike (theme?) for Skip. It will use the same lugset and dropouts as the first, but instead of Dedacciai tubing, it will use some nicer (and lighter) True Temper tubes.




















This detail knocked a whopping 4 grams off of the BB lug. You may think, "that kinda looks like a flower." Good guess, but it's really so I can get some liquid wrench in there to remove the BB when Skip seizes it in the frame in a few years.

Looking Forward to the Season...

Mass Effect

Sorry bacon ride. Sam graciously postponed taking the new machine out on it's first non-commute ride until late in the day Sunday. He called Saturday, early evening and took the news that I was already several espresso martinis into damage with grace and we settled on a 10am start.

Despite my inattentive flat inducing riding, we spun a nice tight loop to the South of town. It's hard not to be pumped with a complete War Axe spinning it up beside you. As they say, good times, good times.

Mark the Occasion: The First War Axe is Complete

So... Fuck off with your sofa units and string green stripe patterns.

Monkey Wrench Cycles (Re)Grand Opening

One heluva party, rock show and all.

Now that's just silly,

...and it's Lazer Black, not Laser Black. Obviously.















and one with flash to show the metallic flake from outer space,















(no full-frontal shots until it's built)

UFO Sighting

Sept 3., 2010 12:16pm

Reports began to circulate concerning a strange object near the location of Monkey Wrench Cycles in Lincoln, Nebraska. Several witnesses described a "Laser Black"object consisting of two triangular structures sharing a fixed side. One witness, who refused to be identified for this article, revealed witnessing disk shaped objects and other mysterious "machined constructions" had been gathered at the site in the days previous to the sighting.

"It's a conspiracy," he said. "It's something big. And they're all in on it."

That's What It's Like To Hurt

I climbed out of semi-secret training mode over the weekend. It wasn't what one would call pretty. With only a road bike at my disposal, I tried to pump out some intervals on Saturday, then after dropping the ball on the Bacon Ride on Saturday, I decided to do an even paced out and back to Cortland Sunday. Unfortunately, the wind was not so even paced and I died a small death on the way out, then needed more teeth on the return.

Cross is just around the corner. Here's to doing a bit more than making videos this year.

See the tattered ends of those flags? That was me on arrival.

On the business side, you'll find MWC restocked in War Axe finery, so stop by the new local and say hello to the boys sometime soon.

No paint, but the wheels are ready

Work is crazy busy, which is nice for the paycheck, but bad for getting some powder coat done. I was threatened that it'll be done by the end of next week. Fingers crossed.

In the meantime, the wheels are ready. Mavic Open Pro's to some old high-flange White Industries that have been lookin' nice in the top of the toolbox for too long.















In other news, my wife is spearheading a campaign to wipe out blood related cancer. For those that don't know, my brother and I are Hodgkins Lymphoma survivors. We'll be participating in the Light the Night Walk September 30th at Holmes Lake. If you have some extra money burning a hole in your pocket, I'm pretty sure this would be an OK way to spend it. Donations are accepted here, and they are much appreciated. C'mon, Tina Fey is the spokesperson for crying out loud.

Our Friends at the PCL Present Gravel Worlds

GRAVEL WORLDS 2010 from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

"Because People Aren't Eaten By Wolves Anymore..."

After an outbound ride toward Princeton that included such evolutionary gems such as the one above, I suggested Sam and I slip off of the Jamaica North and circle back to the limestone trail via gravel. In the end, perhaps we should be thankful people aren't eaten by wolves anymore.

We turned South into a headwind I had largely underestimated and, by the time we were back on South 14th, were completely shredded. You know when the small rise on 14th leading north to Y feels like Ventoux, that you're shot. Still... It felt good to be out.

Our Sales Reps are Slow

But we've finally gotten Monkey Wrench restocked with War Axe provisions. Head downtown and pick something up so Nate and crew don't have to turn right around and move them to the new location.

Monkey Wrench Cycles is Moving...

Monkey Wrench Cycles is moving to 19th and Q Streets August 1st, or thereabouts.

Should be a prime location with the added space and the proximity of the new and improved Antelope Valley.

Serial Number 001

Frame number one and fork number twelve.

Now I can finally use the excuse that it's 'in paint'.

Forking around

Just about got the fork that will accompany the frame done. Some brake bosses and some finish work and it's off to sandblasting for the pair.











Hey Brunt, what kind of fork you want? You're up, hit me one time.

New Employee

Lenora Mae Rosenau
May 15th, 2010

Nancy and I...

Got some work done on the frame today. Not to rush things, but it's finally ready for sandblasting and some paint.
















Baby's due in 2 weeks.

Sighting

Maybe You Shouldn't Want to Win

Good God, what have we done to Rafal...

Coming together

I've threatened to start taking better photos but that is just gonna have to wait for another year or at least another person with a camera. Maybe it's the background? Foreground? Combo of both?

Oh well, needless to say I've been finding some time to put my frame together and, as far as I can tell, it's going well. Just have the seatstays, seatstay bridge and some cable stops before it goes to paint. Any recommendations on color?




I've also got a fork ready for some TIG welding for TMCO Powdercoating Superstar Kit Minks. Kit wanted a bigger front tire and some fender room on his Hunter 29er. So here it comes Kit, maybe it will warm up soon so you can use it...

Also on deck is a 29er fork for Mr. Johnny No-Hawk and either a cross fork or a 29er fork for Eric Bruntasaurus Rex.


Hope everyone had a good Holiday and was able to spend some time not snowed in with family. 2010 is going to be rad.

Portrait of the Artist

Sam experimenting with alien technology