gdp's Comments

TrailCentral.com - Colorado's Online Mountain Bike Trail Resource : Picking My Hub, Spokes, and Rim. - Extra Dirt! - TrailCentral.com

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:06:30 +0000

I appreciate your comment and the insight you and landotter offer. I'm pleased to say the wheel came out great. Since this post: I got several hundred miles on the wheel build described above before selling it. At the time of sale the wheel was still rolling strong and in great shape! I've built a second set of wheels for my Surly 1x1 using XTR hubs, DT Swiss spokes and Mavic XC717 rims. I'm still riding those as hard as I can. The XC bike I originally built the XT wheel for has gotten a new set of hand built wheels by yours truly. After several builds I opted to go with the Hope Pro II hubs, DT Swiss DB spokes, and Mavic XM819 Disc rims. This wheelset feels bomb proof, which is good for a heavy rider such as myself. All in all, This first wheel build I described in this article was the beginning of my interest in wheel building, which I continue to enjoy. Thanks again for your comment!

Beyond TrailCentral : TrailCentral.com Is Slowly Sinking... But There Is Hope.

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:33:16 +0000

Hi Devin, Thank you for your comment. I too spend my days working as part of a technology group where it seems like the left hand doesn't always know what the right hand is doing. I am lucky to have the opportunity to explore both code and system within TrailCentral. And honestly, the extra insight into the system has renewed my interest in the site. It is fun to see the whole picture. Now, if I could only figure out a way to share the insight I've found with the technology group at my day job, right? :) Plus, you are in luck. The blog section of TrailCentral will continue. I like the blogs a lot too.

Beyond TrailCentral : My Third Century of the Year...

Wed, 13 May 2009 19:06:55 +0000

Hey Chris, got any time on a Thursday evening or a weekend in the next several weeks? Would love to give it another go.

Beyond TrailCentral : 2008 TdFR: Date and Route

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:19:04 +0000

Hi Scott,

I encourage you to try it, even if you only have time to do part of it. I would suggest trying to do the front leg. If history is any indication; once the lunch break happens at Matthews/Winters the group size dwindles significantly and trying to join the group gets harder to do because the group is spread out and small so you don't know who to join up with.

I hope you are able to join us, even for a short while. And if you do, be sure to say, hi.

Beyond TrailCentral : Show Some Respect...

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:52:27 +0000

Hi Scott, I tend to be a bit bull headed with my salutations. I know that nine times out of ten I won't get so much as a glance my way, but I've just been doing it for so long I can't help but wave. It is almost a reflex. So, I started riding with a kids bell on my handlebars. You know, the kind that goes "bring-bring." Now whenever someone doesn't respond and pretends not to notice I ring my bell. Not sure why it makes me feel better, but it does. Plus, It's better than flipping them the bird... BTW - If I'd of passed you on Cherry Creek I would have stopped. In fact, my buddy does it so second nature that one time he stopped to help and only then did he realize he forgot all his tools at home. Oops. It was the thought that counts in that situation. And as far as the guy yelling "Get off the trail;" staying true to my post above, that is the lack of respect that turns me into an asshole pretty quickly and I probably would have taken up as much of the trail as I could at that point. As I said, it is second nature and I'm not proud of it, but I don't fight it too much either... Have a good one!

TrailCentral.com - Colorado's Online Mountain Bike Trail Resource : Scout Trail - Garfield County - August 2004 - Trail of the Month - TrailCentral.com

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:39:41 +0000

I love the power of GPS. And I really appreciate the power of a GPS when accompanied by first hand knowledge from a rider who has ridden the trail. Thanks for taking the time to post the link and share your knowledge of the trail with everyone.

TrailCentral.com - Colorado's Online Mountain Bike Trail Resource : The Benefits of Short Track Racing... - Extra Dirt! - TrailCentral.com

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:35:31 +0000

Thanks, Stu! Coming from someone who is as fast on a short track as you are; I take that as a great compliment.

And excellent point about the race being much more spectator friendly than x-country races.

TrailCentral.com - Colorado's Online Mountain Bike Trail Resource : Picking My Hub, Spokes, and Rim. - Extra Dirt! - TrailCentral.com

Fri, 9 May 2008 11:00:06 +0000

Hi Rich,

I agree, XT isn't middle of the road and in terms of price point they would be considered cheap. I also agree that the money should be spent on the hub and not on the spokes and rim.

I guess the only reason I can justify the choice of an XT hub is that this was my first wheel build. I was entering into a dark region of my bike maintenace knowlege. I opted for a hub I had experience with and one that ultimately could be thrown out if I really messed up or got too upset with it.

I'm slowly learning about the wheel,which isn't easy to do. Very few bike shops stock or know about anything that isn't pre-built. Websites are often times only helpful if you know what you are looking for. I've found the best source of wheel building information comes from interacting with people like you, who are experienced wheel builders. Through your experience and shared knowledge I'm able to increase my scope and know what to look for.

Thanks for sharing your comment.

Beyond TrailCentral : Mount Elbert Trip Report : 4.19.2008

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:15:37 +0000

I think an early June hike up a 14er sounds like it could work into the plan. I'll chat with Dwight about it and get a plan started and will include you in the emails.

Thanks for the good info regarding White Rim. I think I'll likely rethink doing it in June and will instead plan a supported ride during the Fall.

Beyond TrailCentral : Mount Elbert Trip Report : 4.19.2008

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:06:05 +0000

Thanks, Dwight!

You better ask me again while we are hiking a 14er this summer and the temperatures are in the high 80's and we are wishing it was cooler. I think you could get me to commit at that point.

However, I do have a year to upgrade the gear and the third time is always the charm, right?

As you can see I'm still sitting on the fence, but it wouldn't take much of a breeze to knock me off on the side of hiking it again during the winter.

Beyond TrailCentral : Pearl Izumi One Day Sale

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:59:40 +0000

Yeah, I'm pretty glad the bag was still there. When I went back in at 1:30 I checked to see what was still available. Mostly to find out if it was worth being there at 9 a.m. or if I could have waited until 1:30 p.m. It turns out that it was worth being there at 9 a.m. The items where almost gone by the afternoon. Understandable at those prices.

I'll likely do the same thing next year if the length of the line calls for it...

Beyond TrailCentral : Mount Elbert Trip Report : 4.19.2008

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:36:53 +0000

Thanks, Chris! We would have enjoyed your company.

Next 14er will most likely be in June. What is your race schedule look like? Are you doing MSC? WP? May is packed for me, but once we hit June the schedule will get pretty tight for everyone with racing and summer stuff. In any case, I'll be sure to send an invite when we make plans.

BTW - Is June too late (hot) to ride the White Rim Trail in Moab, UT? I'm trying to plan for June and I may try to fit both a 14er and White Rim in.

Beyond TrailCentral : Winter 14er - Success!

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:58:44 +0000

Thanks for noticing the date. I know Daylight Savings sprung us ahead an hour, but my head sprung ahead an entire month! :)

The photo above was taken on Sunday from Guanella Pass. The first eight miles of the pass was open, which left about two miles of the pass that needed to be hiked before leaving the road and entering the valley towards the summit.

Details and pictures are coming soon.