Cheater's 100 Recap

For the inaugural Cheater's 100 a whopping 3 people showed up, including myself. I pretty much knew this would happen, but figured making up an event with a real name and date would get the ball rolling for future rides or events.

Vandy having issues with Monster can/ cotton sock air filter

Where are we ?

 The day didn't go quite as planned with rain being the number one drawback. At the predetermined start point , Vandy and I showed up just to see if any one else would be joining us. No one was there, and it was raining, so we decided on a different location to get underway. As expected, keeping the bikes running properly would also be a factor in our success. This is all part of the fun, sort of a man and machine battle to conquer the path that lay before him. In the end we won.

Sweet Ride

This was filled up to that little white wire, not good

Nice warm work shop, did I mention we were all soaked and shivering by the time we got here.   Thanks Brian

 About mid way through "the rally" we were joined by "Best in Schow" and his awesome looking old skool ride. From our meet-up point we would head into the city of Lavender Town for a bite to eat. Previously it had not been raining, just pissing a little, but as we got underway the drops started falling hard. After a few miles of wet pavement my bike suddenly just stopped running. Close by was friend of  B. in S. and we were able to take the bike inside of his shop and work on it. Initially I could get no spark even after thoroughly drying out the coil which I suspected due to its mounted position in relation to road spray from the front tire. I quick swap to Vandys bike revealed the coil was good. The culprit was a leaky cover over the magneto. When I pulled the bottom screw off the case, water began to leak out of the hole from which it was removed. The fix was to dry it out, sand the rough edges of the mating surface of the case, seal it with RTV, and pedal it like hell until it finally popped to life.

Lunch spot

Back home

Filling up with gas at the "Snarky Carp"

 After what seemed like a whole day of working on the bike we finally headed over to a little Mexican restaurant for some lunch. By the time we were done eating the rain had stopped but we were nearly out of time for the day. We headed over to the Snarky Carp for some coffee and to drool over the bikes inside. From there, Vandy and I rode with B. in S. about half the way home before going our separate ways, him back to the city and us back to suburbia. Despite the rain and break down the entire day was fun as heck and one I will not soon forget.  For all you "on the fence" folks out there, get a motor, some gas, and lets ride. 

Cheater's 100 Update

The Cheater's 100 is set to go this coming Saturday. Hopefully all (two) of you are ready with your  machines, finely tuned and purring like kittens. I've decided to move the start time to 9:31am , instead of 9:30am, to accommodate all the riders I'm anticipating. Regardless of the number we will have fun. All info can be found here. See ya Saturday     D Rider  

The Week Before... part 2

That's the new 4 man tent I had to buy on account of someone not returning the 4 man tent I thought I had in my gear room. I don't know who I lent it too, but I'd like it back please 

 Before too much time passes, I wanted to finish my story about our adventure on the north shore the week before school started. On Wednesday morning we awoke to clear skies and warm temps. First on the adventure agenda was to ride our bikes back to the van at Gooseberry Falls SP. We got side tracked on Ellingson Island at Split Rock Light House SP looking for tadpoles and going for a swim. We weren't on a real schedule of any kind so it was a good way to start the day.

Lots of tadpoles to be found here

Frog with a tail

This was cold, I know because I was first

 

Urban exploration on the north shore 

 After finishing the ride, another swim was in order at the mouth of the Gooseberry River to cool off. Heading north, we stopped at another creek I have not had the pleasure exploring. It turned out to be our favorite one of the weekend. The boys were excited to catch frogs, crayfish, and more tadpoles along our route upstream. I was excited to see one waterfall after another and lots of small swimming holes. Usually I like to go upstream until things flatten out and become an average looking creek, just not today. Several hours had already elapsed when I decided leave the mystery of what lay ahead for another time.

  

Turned around here, but not before some swimming

Gene O

 Wednesday night we were camped at Temperance River SP. By strange coincidence our neighbors were none other than Jenifer and Gene O of One on One Bicycle Studio and their three children. Our kids got along great and they all enjoyed searching for tadpoles together as us adults relaxed and talked about the usual bike things. The next morning our two families all headed down to the mouth of the Temperance River for some swimming and cliff jumping for a couple hours before biding farewell. It started raining shortly after so most of the remainder of the day was spent dodging the drops in the van, eating lunch and window shopping in Grand Marais. That night we camped at Devil Track Lake NF campground and endured a major storm with non stop lightning that looked more like a strobe light going off in the tent.

This is Big D . He scares the shit out of me, he didn't even hesitate when he jumped off this. I hesitated when I did it, it's freakin' high. The only thing he had me do is count to three so he knew when to jump, this boy's got some balls. 

Devil Track

Pic is out of order, but this is the trail we took to access the river

 The next day, Friday, was nice and sunny again. My plan for the day would turn out to be one I would regret just a little. We were to hike up the Superior Hiking Trail to the point that it intersects the Devil Track River and then hike up-stream to our bicycles we had cached in the woods the day before. I did this route less than a year before going the other direction. I thought it would be suitable for the boys since we didn't have to rappel the waterfall at the end. The part I was wrong about was the never ending, slippery, boulder  field which makes up the creek bed on the last part of the route. It seemed to go on forever. As an adult it was a bitch, for the kids with shorter legs having to pick their way through the whole mess, it was hell. By the time we reached the bikes G Man was crying and cursing my name, I was carrying Big D for quite some time, and Super Y was way ahead chilling out at the bikes like it was no big deal. I gave them all permission to swear out loud if it would make them feel better. Big D was the only one to take me up on the offer.

Not sure what the mane is on these falls but they are pretty amazing

Hand-line to get up and around the falls on the previous pic

I believe the falls just over their shoulder is called The Admiral

Lets go home

 After the swearing and laughter ceased, we all refueled on water and snacks, consisting mostly of Starburst. Soon spirits were up and we were rolling the last few miles down a large hill to the end of our totally freakin' awesome weekend.

The final decent 

Fat-Bike Adventure Ride III

It's that time of year again folks! This will be the third installment of the adventure ride. If you've been on the ride before you know what to expect. That could mean, you won't ever be back,or you can't wait for it to begin. For those that have not been on the ride expect to get muddy, wet up to your knees, and tired. You can also expect to have a really fun time with other like minded people who enjoy fat-biking off the beaten path. The route will have similar features as last year as well as some new stuff to keep it interesting for those who have attended before.

 This ride may not be for you if... You need to hold mommy's hand when you're scared and tired, You have really nice shoes or clothing you don't want to get wet, dirty, or destroyed. You don't want to trash your super swanky fat-bike by getting it wet and dirty. ie wheel bearings, bottom brackets, headsets, derailleurs. You have no skills what so ever, on a fat-bike or off road. Most importantly the ride is not for you if you are going to complain. This has not been a problem yet and I'd like to keep it that way.  The people who have shown up in the past have given their bikes and bodies a thorough  beating and have done it with smiles on their faces, if this sounds like a good time to you please join us. If it's raining,bring a rain jacket, if it's raining hard, bring a really good rain jacket, if it's snowing consider yourself lucky. Please dress in earth tones if possible to help keep a low profile.

Ride will be on Oct 12th 2013 at this location, the top of the parking ramp. Meet at 9:45am, rolling by 10. we will be riding the light rail back to our start location so plan to bring a couple bucks for train fare. Bring food and water, although we will be very close to gas stations they are not on the route and we will not be stopping (maybe). If you should decide to leave the ride at any time, food,water,and a ride home from mommy will not be far. For more info, this is what we did last year and the year before, as well as last years announcement post which might answer a few more questions.

P.S. This a fat-bike ride only! Krampus and other 29+ bikes should suffice. 2 point whatever inch tires won't cut it for this ride so stay home or go ride the road.

Much Love    D Rider

The week before........

The week before school started for my three boys, I took them up to the North Shore for a final hurrah. Once school starts we still manage to have lots of fun but the freedom enjoyed all summer comes to an end and things begin to get hectic.

On top of Palisade Head, Shovel Point in the far background

There were a boat-load of blue berries up there. It was confirmed later that they were in fact blueberries, since none of us became ill or died :-)

I think this dude is going to be ninja

  Lynn (mom, wife) was not able to attend which is partly why the trip happened for the four of us. She is a teacher and went back to work for the year. There was no day care available Monday or Friday and the price of "day camp" Tuesday -Thursday meant it would be a near wash for me to work those days. I'm not going to work if I'm only going to make a few bucks for the day, so we headed north.

Pellet Island at the end of the breakwater 

Almost there    The rock closer to the island is covered in this brilliant orange lichen 

Getting on the actual island requires this traverse up some slippery logs made easier by a hand line others have permanently placed

 We got out of town on Monday around 2pm. If you noticed the post about "scout camp", we left the day after Super Y and I got home. I was tired. Our first stop was Gooseberry Falls State Park, to our dismay the campground was full... on a Monday night  WTF? Further north we scored a spot at Tettegouche due to a cancellation.. yaaaaa !  After setting up camp and before it got dark we all went for a swim in the Baptism River. Due to rain that night we were not able to cook dinner and settled for appetizers at a little restaurant in Beaver Bay.

Looking back at the safe harbor

Thumbs down on the welfare cheese sandwich. AKA Government cheese sandwich  Ingredients: white bread, government cheese, and spreadable butter. This became something of a joke after last years trip with T-Roy and J-Boo.

The start of the Split Rock

 The next morning was nice and sunny. While my friends and family at home in the twin cities were battling a notoriously hot and humid Minnesota day around 105 deg, we were cool and comfortable along the shore of the big lake. The first adventure for the day was a hike at Palisade Head which is a large cliff overlooking Lake Superior. G Man is the only one to have been there before but it was brief. I had not done too much exploring around there so it was something new for all of us. With nothing but time to burn, we stopped at the marina/safe harbor in Silver Bay. The boys weren't to keen on my idea about going to an island when I ran it by them, (they wanted to swim). As soon as we stepped on the breakwater compiled of massive stones with Pellet Island peaking through the fog at the other end, they were all for it. It's been several years since I was out there, and it was great that they are now old enough to do it themselves.                                                                

Starting to get good

Water-slide !

This one hurt my ass and back, I don't know how they kept doing it

This looks much more fierce than it actually is. He also doesn't look like your typical seven year old, small  :-)

After our hour and a half of rock hopping we were finally getting to the swimming portion of the day that was promised. As one of my predetermined goals for the week, we were going to check out Split Rock River. Rivers like this are also my version of canyoneering in Minnesota. I've done this river countless times in the the winter on skis,snowshoes, and fat bike to the point that I'm not really interested in it unless it's a first time for someone in our group. In the summer I've not been up it so it was real treat. The water was relatively/safely low so I was not nervous about the boys getting swept away...too far :). Several spots had sort-of natural water slides. Theses were much better suited to kids with rubbery joints and not for old guys like me. I tried several of the sides they kept hitting and was amazed that they could slide over the rough rocks with ease and with smiles on their faces....youth !

Super Y was upset he forgot his bike helmet, he said his climbing helmet made him look like a dork on the bike. I told him he looked like bad -ass, how many kids do you know that even have a climbing helmet and use it...he felt better

Krampus tows Burley 

We 're here 

The final step on day two was the bike tour portion. This was also one of my predetermined goals and I had a reservation for the campsite this time. duh  Although we had to do some backtracking from the Split Rock River, we started at Gooseberry Falls SP. The plan was to ride roughly 8 miles of the Gitchi Gami Trail to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and stay the night. I loaded the Burley trailer with all of our gear and had the boys carry some water and snacks in their "adventure backpacks". The ride went well even though we were all tired. In less than two hours from our start point, the ride was complete, camp was set, dinner was nearly eaten, and our eyes were fixed on a package of  birthday cake Oreo's.  
            ..............Stay tuned for days 3-5

That is what you get when you take the inside of 5-6 Oreo's and put them between two cookie portions, mmmmm

The Cheaters 100

Ladies and gentlemen get your motorized bikes ready for the first ever Cheaters 100 motorized bicycle rally. The rally will be taking place on September 28th 2013 at 9:30 am from this location ( 44.777820, -93.350814) in Savage MN. The route may or may not cover 100 miles and it is not a race. I have no predetermined route written down so it's pretty much a group ride with a destination in mind.  Due to the fact we are using cheap motors manufactured in China purchased off Ebay for pocket change I'm not sure they will even make 100 miles. The goal is to make it to the somewhat ghost town of Blakeley Mn. There is nothing there, I just like the place for some reason and it seemed like a good spot to turn around. Gas and food stops will be had along the way utilizing the towns of Jordan and Shakopee. We will be traveling on pavement, gravel, and anything we see fit, we're cheaters after all so anything goes. Right now you still have a few weeks to get your shit together and get a bike motorized and ready to go. It only takes a few hours to turn that old piece of junk bike (most likely a 26" wheeled mountain bike) you have laying around in the garage, into a 30 mph rally riding machine. You can buy a motor on Ebay for roughly 150 bucks and have it in your grubby mitts in less than a week, so get movin'. Note: look for a motor that has a slanted head and needle bearings on the crank shaft. This is the one I bought.   Please leave a comment if you are planning on attending.

This is my bike. It's a Surly 1x1 set up as a 69er. It goes about 30 mph on flat ground without pedaling 

This is one of the other bikes set for rally mode. A 26 " wheeled MTB with a jack shaft so it goes a little faster .

This third bike may or may not be at the rally but it's a perfect example of a bike fished out of a dumpster and retrofitted with a bike motor