We got our hop rhizomes in the mail and are now in planters awaiting transplanting into the yard at the new house. 2 Chinook rhizomes and 2 Goldings. They’re about twice the size now, that pic is about a week old. Blogging? Who’s got time for that these days? I sure as hell haven’t. All of my free time in the past month has been spent looking at houses. Yes, I’ve decided to purchase a home. Its come up very fast. Long story short, my current roommate and I were looking at apartments because we were given 6 months to be out of our current place, which is the end of May. A couple months ago I jokinly said to my pops about an investment opportunity with me. “How about going in on a house with me.” We both laughed and I forgot about it. Well I guess he took it seriously and came back to me a month ago with a plan. After some discussion, I was approved and looking at houses within a week of him telling me he’d help me out. Now, here I am with an accepted offer and just waiting on finalizing some terms with the lender. WOAH!! I have only been on my bike twice in the past month. I haven’t even had time to continue on with all grain equipment purchases. Everything right now devoted to the house. My thoughts of going to school for brewing are on hold too. Will I continue on this site? I’ll try. I’m moving home with the ‘rents for about a month then off to the new house where I won’t have internet access for awhile. Thanks for reading, hopefully I’ll find some time again in the future for more worthless dribble you all can read. Cheers!!
April 27, 2009
March 17, 2009
A relaxed, but curious Sampson
I remember growing up we would always ask our parents if we could get a dog. I would say we finally gave up when we hit middle school. It was quite funny. My dad just sounded like a broken record. A simple “NO” every time the question was brought up. He doesn’t like dogs. At least to my knowledge he doesn’t. We would hound him all the time. This question probably came up once a month. We never had a chance, but I guess it became a force of habit to ask every once in awhile to annoy dad. My mom grew up with a dachshund. She always liked dogs, and I bet we could have convinced her to let us get one had our dad not intervened. Because of that I could never understand the connection people got with their dogs. I mean its just a dog right?
When my old roommate bought his first house, I moved in with him and shortly after that he asked if it would be cool to get a dog. Nobody objected and a couple weeks later Sampson showed up at our door. He was about 2 years old when Chris got him. I think from a family friend up in St. Francis or something like that. A Lab/Shepherd mix. Basically he looked like a chocolate lab with the tail of a German Shepherd. I knew nothing about dogs when he showed up. I couldn’t understand why he howled so much when the doorbell rang. Why did he just pee on that chair? Why does he obsess over small furry critters? Oh yea, I was late for work plenty of times from those mornings. He was a slut for attention but it was great. I remember those mornings where I would be laying in bed and Sam would put his head on my bed and stare at me waiting to get up. Those late nights hanging out in the backyard burning things, drinking Mickey’s hand grenades and chillin’ with the pup(he howled at fireworks). I learned a lot about dogs with Sampson and ultimately I was convinced when I moved out that I would someday have a dog of my own.
Early last week I guess he started having liver problems. I got a call from Chris around Friday and it didn’t sound good. Liver failure. Bad news. Nothing that could be done. I guess they said it was hereditary and it couldn’t have been avoided. Jeez, he’s barely 5 years old. It came one so quick. Just two weeks ago I was wrestling with him at Kubi’s. Just sad. They were able to put him on some meds for the weekend but last night Chris had to put him asleep. I was fortunate enough to stop by there Saturday morning to hang out with Sam for an hour or so and say my goodbyes. He wasn’t moving at all, couldn’t walk. However when I showed up his tail wagged just a little bit as I came into his view. That was pretty cool. I never thought I would have that kind of a connection with an animal. Everyone that came across to meet Sampson always said the same thing. A super mellow, kind, loving dog that liked everyone. Well everyone except for my buddy Paul whom Sampson liked to bite. Farewell Sam.
March 4, 2009
2009 S-Works Epic
I recently returned from my latest trip for work. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to take a yearly trip with my fellow service managers at Eriks. The past two years we went out to Colorado Springs for Sram’s STU(Sram Technical University). Last year plus STU we got to partake in the Bill Woodul Race mechanics clinic. For someone that wants to be a race mechanic this is the first step. This year we got to go out to Specialized Bikes for their SBCU program. This past October they added a technical clinic to their list of classes. Specialized Technical Masters Course. I have never been to California before so I was pretty stoked to spend part of my winter in a warm climate for the first time in my life. Specialized has a beautiful facility. Very well kept. Top notch. The tech clinic was roughly 4 days. The first day was a lot of Theory. Explanations on carbon fiber, integrated suspension and its advantages, spring rates, and rider experience. The second and third days were in the lab. We briefly looked at Roval wheels. The new Command Post. Then we dove into suspension. The rest of the second day was pulling apart the rear AFR shocks. The third day was all forks. We pulled apart the E150 fork, and the E100 Future Shock fork. All in all, the course was very good. However I could tell it is still in its early stages, and it can only get better. Brennan Marquez did a great job. We got to meet the engineers behind the front and rear shocks. Even the well known Mike “Mic” McAndrews. A pioneer in the suspension world who helped invent the BRAIN shock on Specialized bikes. The last day was spent out on the trail testing out the suspension and seeing how it performs in different conditions.
The weather out there was perfect. I think we were in the 60’s all week. I guess it had been raining a ton there the past week and some of us were worried we weren’t going to get to ride. I rained overnight most nights, but was dry during the day. Luckily we were able to ride that last day. And it was an epic ride. THE best mt. bike ride of my life. I rode the 2009 S-Works Epic. It was outfitted with the Fast Trak LK(low knob) tires. I was a bit concerned with this because of the muddy conditions we were hearing about, plus “AT” the rear shock engineer looked at my tires and gave me a funny look. Uh Oh, I thought. The bike was flawless. Climbs like a banshee. As fast if not faster then my S-Works Carbon hardtail. The tires were the most surprising. No issues at all. And it was MUDDY. Ya see, we Minnesotans don’t get the opportunity to ride in the mud because our trails close if there is the slightest hint of mud. We took full advantage. It was some of the gnarliest shit I’ve ever ridden on. I followed a guys line who was riding an S-Works Enduro down a really aggressive, steep rocky section. I’m sure I had that “OH SHIT” look on my face. But the bike came through with flying colors. A great 3+ hours of riding had us all spent. Some frosty Sierra Nevada Pale Ales, then pizza was a great way to end our week out there.
As much as I love these trips and am grateful for them, every year I debate on going. I don’t like flying. No, there are parts of flying I don’t like. You always hear that you’re more likely to die in a car accident then a plane crash. Thats just by the numbers. Take a car crash vs. a plane crash. Thats how I look at it. Secondly I hate turbulence. Can’t stand it. On our way back we hit some wicked shit over the Rocky Mountains. Worst I’ve ever experienced. I prefer window seats, but looking at that wing flop all over the place, while the plane is swaying back and forth and changing altitudes makes me feel like the pilot has no control. Taking off and landing are pretty cool. Gimme just that, and put me out for the rest of it. The whole time this is going on this guy sitting behind me is snoring his ass off. How? Not sure, maybe he’s got some good drugs. We’ll see what happens next year. Maybe I won’t go? I tell this myself every year, and end up going. It was pretty cool to be laying in green grass one moment, then just 4 hours later walking in 8 degree weather and fresh POW. Oh yes, and In-N-Out Burger is worth all the hype.
March 2, 2009
The Brewery
February 20, 2009
I was at my friends house tonight watching the Wild lose to the Flames in OT and we got to the discussion of our fathers and the beer they drink. He mentioned the dirty thirties of Strohs his dad buys. I mentioned that my dad just up until a few years ago wasn’t a beer drinker. This was over a tasty bottle of Boulevard Brewing Long Strange Tripel. It got me thinking. I think its safe to say that we as Americans aren’t known as beer connesseurs. Look at all the beer commercials that are out there right now. Beers known for “easy drinking” and “low on carbs”. I love the Coors Light vented wide mouth can. According to Coors it provides people to enjoy the “Worlds most refreshing beer.” Worlds most refreshing beer my ass. My roommate had a good slogan for them. “Coors light, FASTER!!.” Seriously. All that promotes is binge drinking. Which is what Coors Light is made for in the first place. The only company giving us hope is Sam Adams. It gives those who aren’t beer lovers a small window into the craft beer world. What separates craft brewers from macro brewers? Passion.
My friend had said how he is slowly showing his father what good tasting beer is really about. He’s opened him up to Leinenkugels and some Summit beers. My dad is starting to see the light. My brother has spent a lot of time in Germany and Austria and one popular style of beer from that area is the Hefeweizen. He’s embraced it. And he’s starting to open up to others. My youngest brother is only 21 and he can’t get enough of Surly Furious. Even my mom likes some styles of beer. I haven’t exactly pin-pointed her style but I think its Belgian styles. She really likes New Belgium Abbey. She hates IPA’s though. I once gave here a sip of an IPA as a joke because I knew she’d hate it. Her lips puckered up and she said it “tastes like grass”. Hilarious. Ya know what this is though? Progress. Small steps. Beer goes back to the times before Christ. Europeans have been brewing beer since the early 11oo’s. Even earlier. We as Americans are years behind. Prohibition put a big dent on our progress. Curses to the bastards who came up with that stupid law. But we are moving in the right direction.
I love spreading the word about beer. Each style comes with a story. Do people really know the meaning behind Oktoberfest? What does the term “Lager” really mean? Why do Belgian Ales have such a storied history? Why do they call it India Pale Ale? I think teaching people the story behind a style of beer makes them appreciate it that much more. Crack that beer bottle open, give it a nice pour, check out the color up against the light, give it a good whiff, then take a sip and think about all the time and effort into what you are drinking. Maybe you like it, maybe you don’t. But at least appreciate what went into it. I can only hope we get to the days of spending our Sundays enjoying a wonderfully tasty snifter of beer after church over a bland watered down cup of coffee.
February 8, 2009
I’ve gotta put in my 2 Cents on this whole stimulus package. Dubbed the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The whole idea behind this is to get the economy rolling again. Create jobs and get us out of this recession. Its has a price anywhere from 800-900 billion dollars. There was a couple weeks where people were talking 1 trillion. Good lord. Thats a lot of money to be throwing around. Problem is, most of it is just spending. Just a bunch of money being thrown around to please everyones personal agendas and to please lobbyists. What? Wasn’t Obama going to be rid of that? I guess not. Just read about some of the things involved in the plan. The frickin’ thing is over 600 pages and I’m not about to read the whole thing, but I’ve heard some of the ideas from radio, internet, or newspaper. Sounds like a lot of spending. Stupid things like buying government employees hybrid cars. Money for the filming industry to buy film(Dead serious). Modernizing government buildings and so on. Silly things like this that don’t belong in a “Recovery Act.” Everyone is lobbying to get their piece of the pie. Its not going to stimulate much of anything. Create jobs? Not really. Just more debt for future generations. There are some good things about the plan, just not enough. The cons outweigh the pros big time.
Look what happened with all that TARP money. It was used to buy up all those bad assets and get banks lending again. Only problem is the banks are just sitting on the money. Or worse, they’ve spent it frivolously. Why? Because there basically were not rules with that money and they don’t want to start lending again. Just a hand out and good luck. Now when they are asked what they did with it, they won’t say. You mean to tell me all that taxpayer money that was given out and nobody put some clauses in that? Now there is talk of being sure to investigate into wether or not the money was used properly. On top of that we find out that they overpaid by $78 Billion dollars? What the hell? Did anyone spend some time on this? Or did they just come up with a nice round number that they thought would be enough. I can envision the conversation Paulson must have had when coming up with this? “What do you think guys? $700 Billion sound good? Lets flip a coin.” Haha, I doubt that, but I’ve heard the number they came up with from that was just thrown out there. No calculating done. What a childish way to spend our tax dollars. They didn’t even spend it all before they left office. Just handed it off to let Obama deal with it. Oh the nonsense that is our government.
I’d like to believe that change is coming. Granted, President Obama hasn’t even been in office a month, was voted into a hell of a mess, and years of bad policies. I do believe Obama will end up doing some good and better him than McCain. But it seems to be turing out like the old saying “politics as usual”.
January 27, 2009
It is quite an interesting time to be working in the cycling industry. Technology rules all and with that new products seem to come out every other day. This years top item will likely be fazed out in a year or two. Its becoming harder and harder to keep up with things. Its almost as if you need to spend every free minute of your time scouring the internet to read up on new products. Our biggest parts distributor’s current catalog is a whopping 1600 pages! Thats not including the new products they will see weekly throughout the year. There are sometimes 20-30 different options for one part or accessory. Do I need bar tape from 20 or so different manufacturers each with numerous styles to choose from? How many choices for BMX chain wheels does a kid really need? Chains! Cripes, the options for chains are crazy. Something else that I’ve noticed that bugs me are the prices on some of these items. I was perusing through our new 2009 parts catalog and some prices really came out at me. How about $400 for a Bottom Bracket. Two cups, two bearings with a weight range probably around 60-100 grams for $400! How about cranksets that are now pricing up to $1500. For two crank arms and a chain ring. $10,000 complete bikes, $160 set of derailleur pulleys, $450 derailleurs and so on. Even mid level prices have shot up. You could blame rise in prices for raw materials. You could blame the cost of researching and designing these products. Whatever the cause, I guess there’s still some crazy bastards that don’t have the luxury of being sponsored that can afford these things. I struggle myself keeping up with my bikes and their parts even with a discount. I often ask myself why a company comes out with a product that for most riders would break the bank. Does the performance and reliability out gain the price? Am I going to notice the extra $100 I spent on that rear derailleur? I think in most cases thats a no. When it comes to a part I pick out for my bike the first thing I consider is longevity. I like my parts to last a long time. I take care of them well, and keep tabs on them. Why fix it if it ‘aint broke right? And with the eye gauging prices I saw coming for 2009 I’m glad I abide by this.
Another trend I see sprouting up around the industry is companies creating their own integrated designs on parts. New “standards” from different frame manufacturers. Everyone is now coming out with their own proprietary headtube sizes, bottom bracket sizes, suspension products, on and on. I guess Cannondale really was on to something years ago when they started their SI designs. I know this is a business and everyone is working on the next best thing. Come ride our product. Companies will say that the system as a whole works better. I’ve always been skeptical of this approach with bikes, even in my early days of wrenching learning what SI stood for. One thing I don’t like about this is the customer is usually limited to one option for that area. If I’m gonna spend well over $3000 for a bike, those are some critical areas that I would want so free reign as to what I want. I feel like its a way of the company to force the customer into spending more money through them. What if some company comes out with some new groundbreaking suspension design or a new type of crankset? Should I have to get an entire new bike to ride it? I don’t think so. Am I too bold to say its creating a monopoly over everyone else? Not entirely, but who’s to stop it? I guess in a way I wish things were more simplistic. Things seem to be getting more complicated. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for people that don’t work in the industry to keep up. I’ve had people ask me “Why are you still riding that bike?” or “You really should go full suspension, hardtails are dead”. Why not? I like what I ride, and it still works great. Besides, I can’t afford an entire new bike these days.
January 4, 2009
December for us Minnesotans was rough. Mischke was fired, the Wild played some of the worst hockey we’ve seen them play, we still do not have Senator number Two, and it was frickin’ cold outside. All the more reason to hang out indoors with some tasty pints eh? There are a few beers I’ve had over the past few weeks that I’d like to give my 2-cents on.
Flat Earth Brewery is based out of St. Paul. It is one of Minnesota’s newest micro-breweries. I’ve tried 3 of their beers. I had their Belgian Style Pale Ale many months ago so I won’t go deeply into that one because honestly all I remember is it was so-so. The next one on tap was their Rode Haring Flanders Red Ale. According to The Four Firkins it is a Belgian style sour aged about two years in Oak barrels. Supposedly the only brewery in Minny making this style. I was really stoked to try this one out. I brought this one up to the family and had them try it with me. Initial aroma was promising. Somewhat of a citrus aroma with a light red color. First sip and I was struck with something? What was that flavor? Never before in a beer had I tasted this? My dad hit it right on the nuts. “Tastes like green olives.” Indeed, that’s what it was. The general consensus between all of us was that. I tried a few more sips, but it still was there. Maybe I need to try this one again, or find another brewery with a similar style to compare it to, but my taste buds did not like this one. Finally there is the Black Helicopter Coffee Stout. A traditional Stout brewed with Dunn Bros. Coffee beans. Going into this I was thinking a dark, heavy beer. Somewhat of a thicker consistency. The coffee beans are immediate when it comes to aroma. Very dark with a brownish, dense, creamy tasting head. However, not as thick as I thought it would be. Very smooth actually. A good combination of coffee beans and the roasted barley they use. Neither one overpowers the other. Great brew. All in all, I like what Flat Earth is doing. I’ve only tried these Three but looking at their website and you can tell they put some thought into each beer they create.
Two Brothers Brewing. Based out of Warrenville, Illinois. I’ve had the pleasure of having two of their beers. I’ve got a feeling these guys LOVE hops. The first one was awhile ago, but I can still taste it. Its called Cane and Ebel. A “Hopped up Red Rye Ale”. The name speaks for itself. An ale brewed with Rye. They also add palm sugar to this. If you like the taste of Rye, give this beer a try. I think it has an IBU reading of 85. The second beer I had is called Hop Juice Double IPA. The first sip I had and all I could think was WOW. 9.9% ABV and a staggering IBU reading of 100. This beer packs a punch. If you don’t like bitter beers, stay away. I’ve only had two beers from this brewery but its fast becoming one of my favorites. I plan on searching for more beers from these guys. Although the only place I know to purchase their beer locally is The Four Firkins. The closest state listed on the website is Wisconsin.
On a side note, Purple Palace Brewing will be kegging our replica of the Surly Furious in about 3 days. The Furious is one of my favorite IPA’s and to some one of the best American made IPA’s. The use of Simcoe hops comes out to play in this beer. We’re really stoked for this one. Initial tasting in the carboy and the hops really come out. We’re still extract brewing so most of our beers have a malty taste. We made our own IPA and it was OK, but needs work. The Surly replica however will definatley have a hop presence. Besides that, we’ve got nothing in the carboy’s. We’re in the process of moving into a new apartment so that is taking precedence over brewing. Once in the new digs, we plan on putting our All-Grain goals into full force. Looks like another Saturday night of snowfall. So why not drink a few. Tonight, myself and the family plan on frying up the rest of our Walleye and Northern’s from our Canada fishing trip and enjoying that with Ommegang Brewing Hennepin Saison and Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale. Cheers!!
December 8, 2008
Its a sad day in the land of 10,000 lakes. This past Saturday morning. T.D. Mischke host of “The Mischke Broadcast” for 17 years on AM1500 KSTP was suddenly fired. This coming just two days after his much anticipated CD Release show at O’Garas Pub. Mischke had a unique show and was my favorite talk show host. You could say his glory days on the air were when he was on at night. He was moved to daytime a few years ago and his show really wasn’t the same. Some antics he would do weren’t really allowed during daytime. And of course, some of his regular callers hadn’t been drinking yet. I was just getting into his show when he moved to daytime, but I still loved listening to him. His countless occasions where he would break out in song about some topic he was talking about. It usually rhymed and was very good. His moments of “dead air” where you thought the radio went out, only to hear papers shuffling around. He would take a humorous outlook on daily events and news. It was a unique broadcast and I can only hope he will be on the air again someday soon. Curses to KSTP for letting go the talented Mischke. I will leave you with The Mischke Poem written by Mischke’s college roommate years ago.
The Mischke Poem
The memories are golden there
my daddy’s pipe, my mama’s chair
my grandma’s braid was done with care
and on the wireless was Mischke
My mama’d sit us on the rug
and keep us quiet with a hug
my grandpa’d laugh and the kids would shrug
at the shenanigans of Mischke
Jean said Tommy was the kind of man
that she would like to find
my uncle told her never mind
or there’ll be no more of Mischke
Later on in school boy days
when FM was the latest craze
I didn’t care or change my ways
and my dates all learned of Mischke
More recently my wife would scoff
and yell to turn that joker off
so I’d grab a smoke and play it soft
out on the deck with Mischke
I met him once at the State Fair
it was just outside the beer tent there
I heard that giggle in the air
and I knew that it was Mischke
If he was old or young I couldn’t see
But he was different than I thought he’d be
when he handed me a Swisher Sweet
well he seemed a good egg, Mischke
I called the wife with courage high
and said I’d be home by and by
my luck was too good to deny
I was hanging out with Mischke
We smoked our stogies in the night
as I kept buying him Cold Spring Lights
and before I knew my wrong from right
I was ’bout half-baked with Mischke
He borrowed five bucks and went away
I lost my lunch in a pile of hay
Who drove me home — well I can’t say
but I don’t think it was Mischke
I woke up on the lawn and saw my wife
I couldn’t stand up to save my life
and then from her robe she pulled a knife
and started screaming Mischke
I was up and running, filled with fear
and kitchen things flying by my ear
the wife was yelling loud and clear
You can just go live with Mischke
Well that was many years ago
and still I’m feeling pretty low
and if I had a radio
well it wouldn’t be tuned to Mischke
The man cost me my home and pride
he left a void a mile wide
he made me want to run and hide
and curse the name of Mischke
Now though I can’t afford the beers
I’ve waited by that tent for years
but it’s not about revenge or tears
I want something else from Mischke
See I don’t care much about the wife
or the shambles of my so called life
and I want no pity for my strife
but I want that five from Mischke
Somewhere the sun is shining bright
somewhere the hearts of men are light
and somewhere heroes do things right
and somewhere else… is Mischke
–by Michael Crouser
November 25, 2008
Being a bike mechanic there’s nothing I hate more then that bike that rolls in and the customer says “my bikes creaking”. “Ok, where is it coming from?” “I dunno.” What follows are a series of questions directed at the customer to help pin point where it is coming from. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn’t. The most common creaks are the ones that come from the bottom bracket area. I guess you could say its the most common for a number of reasons. That area is under a lot of load while riding. It can be exposed to a lot of crud. Water, dirt, energy drinks, other sugary substances. I’m working on one in the shop right now that I can’t figure out. Both my bikes have one. The mountain bike has one coming from the bottom bracket area that I’ve yet to solve all summer. My road bike, recently equipped with Campagnolo Centaur 10-Speed developed one in the bottom bracket too! That one I also am yet to solve, although this post from The Rogue Mechanic might have helped me solve that one #mce_temp_url# The best way to eliminate these annoying sounds is by process of elimination. Start with the small things, then dig in deeper. It might be as simple as removing and re-greasing the pedals. Or it might be as in depth and time consuming as removing and cleaning chainring bolts, a bottom bracket overhaul, and a bottom bracket tapping and facing. The thing I hate though is the one you can’t get rid of. The one that you spend all day on. It laughs at you as you try everything you can think of, but he’s still there. You think you’ve got it solved, take the bike out for the umpteenth time and there he is. Creeeeeeeak. BALLS. Still there. Free time does not exist in my shop in the summertime. And the last thing I want to do is spend an entire day trying to solve one silly sound.
Its not like you can just say to the owner of the bike “just deal with it.” A creak can take away the sole purpose of that ride. The chance to get out on the country road away from all the chaos that is the city. Just you and the pavement. Cruising down the road with the wind in your ears. Nothing but thinking about what cold beer you are going to crack when you get home. Lager or Ale? Or what’s the post ride meal? Chicken or Steak? Do women think men in spandex are hot? Creeeeeeak. First it starts happening intermittently. You don’t think anything of it. Then it gets worse. Increasing with each pedal stroke. Now its constant. Non-stop. That single noise can drive a cyclist crazy. Your train of thought is gone. All you can think about is that wretched creak. The ride is now ruined. You curse the bastard who put the bike together(In my case I’m cursing myself) full well knowing that the problem is not mechanical error but your emotions are high, and thats the first thing that comes to mind. The last thing a person wants on his or her ride is a nagging noise. Thats where I come in. Its just sometimes those nagging noises that cause all that trouble on the ride, also can cause all sorts of trouble in the shop. If it was just as easy as the father in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” says. “Just put some windex on it”.
