Ghoulie Boobies and some Pow Pow

To further learn ways of extorting money from gullible young men, topless women exhibit themselves with Ghoulies from the underworld...Yup..they got everything in Denver, CO even Triple X Haunted Houses...Mrs. Goat is working on getting a babysitter so we can go together. Ain't that sweet?!

You thought you were gonna see some boobies on this site...Move along Scumbag...and no Mr. Emperor I didn't steal your photo...


To question why I'm not riding right now is rather fruitless.

And yes, it was entertaining to my little girls to watch daddy jump over the 5 foot tall rail of our patio and bunny flop in 27 inches of snow. Note to self: make sure there is a pillowly base beneath...Concrete...even with 27 inches of fresh pow pow, makes for a hard landing....just sayin

A Clunker, A Cog, and a little Puckin

Whew! Its been a busy, stressful weekend. More stressful in just clunker shopping. Shopping is something I'm not very good at. I'd rather find it on the net, sitting within the comfort of my home but with cars you gotta get out and look. So much deceiving going on when your looking at a clunker in the price range I was. I did find my new trailhead cruiser, snowhill slusher though.

97 Ford Explorer XLT, 4x4, power everything, only 100,000 miles



Cash talks and the owner let her go for a few bullion less then what he was asking. The Goat hacienda is so happy to have 2 vehicles for the household again.

All that car shopping and making improvements to the Explorer with including flying sparks and a bit o Macgyverism meant no riding this weekend. Flucking sucks I know but its just the way of it. Cycle Analyst did call me on Saturday to let me know my 23 tooth Nexus cog was in for the Alfine. Lose a high gear , gain a low. As weak as my legs are this year, I need all the help I can get.



So to the final note of the day....Last night Ayla and I went to watch PBR's son's team, The Littleton Hawks win the Colorado Qualifier against the Aspen Leafs for the Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament. Good Luck in O Canada Little Guys!

The search for the Ultimate Beater

Trailhead Clunker, Snowhill Slusher....Car that is.

Should it be a Swedish Brick? VW Breadloaf, Vanagon, or Squareback? Or another piece of miscellaneous steel found within the dredges of Craigslust.

Over the past year my family has suffered with just one vehicle. Shipping a vehicle from North Carolina to Colorado meant $1800. One had to go...

See ya later truck



My 1st car...86 Plymouth Lazer Turbo....Paid $200, lasted 4 months and 2000 miles



The Goat on the left at 18 years young...what a fugg up! Pack of Camel non-filters in hand, cheesy pimp stash and mini mullet. It got worse before it got better...

Yes, that bad! Holy Christ, I was 21 when that picture was taken and lookin like I was a hippy going on 40.

The 2nd car...a 86 Chevy Caviler..paid $100, lasted 3 years for me...sold to a buddy for $200 who blew it up on a Coastal Carolina rural country road. Want a mansion, Look up Pamlico County, NC....approx...13,000 people as of the last census...Just be sure to make your retirement bucks before you do as there is none to be made there.



3rd car...not pictured...a 89 Eagle Talon...$1200...many miles...named the Dancing Monkey Car.....Death by White Pine...crushed in the roof

4th and most beloved...My 71' Super Beetle named June Bug. Paid 200 dollars for it, two weeks before my wedding day. Had to be towed to my home, a 60's era 10 x 60 ft mobile home...$110 rent a month and a roof over our heads. This beetle was 7 different colors, locked brakes, locked motor, water in the transaxle, rusted out floor pans, an electrical nightmare. Probably 800 hours of sweat equity from yours truly and $1300 dollars later and it looked like this and ran like a champ. Yeah, it still had a few quirks, still needed a paint job, wish I would of documented that process from start to end. You'd be awed! Rumor has it that June Bug is still seen driving the streets of Brevard, NC till this day.



As you can tell I'm not a flashy car driver. Just ain't my thing. My wife gets the fancy, safe n reliable car as she should. I miss my truck but that quirky little V Dub was a blast to drive. Dollars are few to spread but I got a few to give in cash for an old beast that may be worth less then my mountain bike.

Bergen Peak

It has been determined the best riding within 30 minutes of Denver lies 30 minutes west in the small town of Evergreen. I still don't quite understand why I don't ride up there more often or why I hadn't ridden Elk Meadows Park and Bergen Peak until yesterday.



Within that small park lies tons of buff singletrack, rocky and technical climbing and descending, singletrack that keeps you on your toes, even some good ol hike a biking and some killer views.



For the locals that wanna know I parked at Bergen Park> Pioneer Trail> Painters Pause>Meadow View> Down the rip roaring fun of Elk Ridge> Up Sleepy "S">Meadow View>Bergen Peak Trail>Bergen Peak>Down Too Long which was way to short> Back down Meadow View where I broke off to Squaw Pass Road and climbed up to Noble Meadow to view the Elk grazing at dusk.









Setting Sun as seen from atop Bergen Peak



Follow the Yellow Leaved Trail



Lots of Elk at the Noble Meadow

Cruising round the Neighborhood

Last night the boys headed off to Buffalo Creek for some quality ride time and a beer or two. Being tired of being in the vehicle all day long, just a portion of what my job as an Appliance Technician dictates, I opted for a local route of some 30ish miles.

Mostly the route was concrete bike paths but I also managed to find the Stone House trail and ride it into Bear Creek Lake Park. While most of the trails are smooth and buff, there is an occasional rock. Seeing that I just flatted on the buffed out Sandy Wash in Buffalo Creek on Sunday, it came no surprise when I glanced off trail for just a moment to take in the sight of two grand Mule Deer Bucks and I hit a rock that torn a 1/4 inch gash in my Maxxis Ignitor's sidewall.

I managed to patch the tire, throw in a tube and ride exactly 1/2 mile to the C-470 bike path where I picked up a piece of glass, gashed my tread and flatted again. Once again I patched the tire and made chase against the vehicles on C-470 to Green Mountain. The Big Green Hill was fast and flowy as usual and on a short climb I dropped the chain. Looking for trouble such as that which happened last time I dropped a chain , I found none but two lights did make chase.

Pretending to be the world class speed racer that I'm not, I took off and somehow dropped the two lights from behind. Feeling kinda sad that I lost two friends that I never knew I had, I waited at the Florida parking lot but the lights never arrived so I took off for home and a ice cream drumstick.

As for the 1000 gram tire for a rear tire that I spoke about. I decided to go mainstream and get a Deadly Nedly otherwise known as The Captain. 280 grams lighter then the 1000 G's I was shooting for but in the 2bliss, control version.

Hmmm..Honey Bee likes what he sees

Coming to a Goat in you...Colorado

Arriving in December...The baddest, darkest steel available

Dissent Fe....Spread the Sordid Wonder

POLLING..To sell or not to sell

Before I go into my quandary of what to sell or not to sell...you must see this

Below is a picture of trees in the town of Conifer...about 30 minutes from my place where it looked about the same



Literally 2 miles further west towards Pine Junction and the skies looked like this and the temps felt at least 20 degrees F warmer



My 20ish mile route to test out my newly oily bathed Alfine took me from FS543, all the way up to the Colorado Trail and eventually down the always fun, Sandy Wash....as it happens every time(it seems)that I ride Sandy Wash I get a flat. I'm just about ready to put a 1000 gram tire on that rear wheel.



So to the Polling side of things. My wife has a Soma Juice in the small size. We sold her beloved Electra Townie to buy it, thinking she'd do some mountain biking with me. In the past year since we've had it, she has been on it maybe 5 times. Now she is suggesting selling it.



Photo from Missus Goat's very 1st mountain bike ride on Ridgeline Trail in Dupont State Forest, North Carolina. Doesn't she look so happy?!

From her idea of things, she doesn't have the passion or love for mountain biking that I do and she'll never ride the kind of terrain that I do so she asks, "why do I need a mountain bike that is an overkill for the kind of riding that I like to do and that's if and when I do ride?" Then she suggests the epitome of what all decent bicycle riders find revolting," I can just get a Walmart bike."

My response...."Wha...no......ack" basically a Garfield disgusted with Odie response.

But, she does bring up a good point. However, I doubt the bike we buy her (should I accept the idea of selling her Soma) would be even close to a "Walmart bike".



I need some help folks. I am at a serious loss as to what to do.

Alfine, Oil Bathin

3CPO, come get ya some.

Finally made it to the auto parts store at a time of day they'd actually be open. I did forget though, just how much Tranny fluid stinks....Its a cologne of sorts that my wife will not be asking me to wear again anytime soon.



The Alfine put back together. Yes, despite the fact that I took all that time to break down the hub, I neglected to clean the cog

Maybe this is something to save for a sunny day, warm day cause just like cooking collards, its best to be left to the outdoors. Not that I left my internals soaking all day in the house itself, I did use the garage. I am a bit more civilized then that despite the fact I have a huge jutting brow and my lack of eyebrows can make me look just like a Neanderthal.



Seatstay routing of the cassette joint

Shimano designed the Alfine for chainstay cable routing. I use the non turn washers for vertical drops to turn the cassette joint to the correct angle for seatstay cable routing. One of the issues of running a 22 tooth cog is the chain and the cable stop on the cassette joint hit with this style of cable routing. A small crescent wrench and a gentle bending of the cassette joint arm allow for approx 2 mm of clearance.



That's close but it has never been an issue

Toughest part of the whole job was tightening the non drive side cone. There's a bit more resistance in an internal hub compared to a standard hub as the gears actually ratchet around the axle. Just a few trial and errors and I believe I got the cone set, spot on.



showing the rear of the cassette joint, notice the cable end

Installed back on the bike, the hub feels smoother and easier turning. I understood this was gonna be the case since I flushed out all the grease and oiled the internals...Of note...I did use Phil Wood waterproof bearing grease on all the ball and needle bearings as well as the external seals.

Alfine, Internals exposed

I'm figuring I have somewhere close to 1000 miles on the Alfine now. Keeping up with my Internal Gear research I found that the Alfine does indeed love a bath. Oil Bath that is.

So tonight I set upon the task of taking my hub apart and degreasing it for a dip in the slippery stuff.

Its easy enough...Take the disc rotor off, cog, small parts and unscrew the non drive side cone.



Unscrew the drive side dust cap and seal, pictured below, top left and pull the internal assembly out



The internals show surprisingly little wear and no signs of any moisture contamination. Colorado is a very dry state but this hub has seen its fair share of creek crossings and a few rain showers.



An empty Alfine hub body



Next I degreased the internal assembly





Then I went to pick up some automatic transmission fluid. Being the night owl I am, I completely spaced on the fact the auto parts store would not be open at midnight...so with that, till Manana.

Oily Fluids

The camping trip is off. Weather is fouling the state of Colorado, the youngest is sick with a UTI, better off staying home.

Betterment is found in a can though. $14.67 later and a 4 pack sits in my fridge minus one as of this typing. Expensive beer? Yes! Worth it? Indubitably.

all 87,000 square feet of Tipsy's delivered.

Still trying to take a gander at how many millions of dollars worth of inventory that place carry's. Thought to ask then thought better of it.

So as the can reads;
Cross-eyed.(why yes, that would be the 10.5 apv)

Cyclopean. ( You will feel stoned after a few as this Half Baked. Fully Roasted Ale goes down so smooth and thick, it sits on the belly well)

Cancupisent...(obviously a dirivitive of Concupiscence...Catholics may take issue with this. But yes, I do selfishly desire another can in my belly)

This Dog'll Hunt..(nuff said)

Thinking of tearing down the Alfine to its innards this weekend for an oil bath. If I do there will be pictures...till then

Weekend Camping

Camping this weekend with Bad Andy! and the Mad Scientist.. Plans were originally for Curt Gowdy State Park in Wyoming....then this. Yeah, I'll keep the ol mountain oysters fresh thank you...no point in getting freezer burn yet.

Friday Oct 9 Weather Related Repairs Rain / Snow Showers High 44°F Low 17°F Precip: 30% Wind: WNW at 17 mph UV Index: 4 Moderate Humidity: 58% Sunrise: 7:06 AM Sunset: 6:29 PM Sight- seeing Index: 3 Low Length Of Day: 11 hrs 23 mins

Saturday 10 Flight Delays Snow Shower High 27°F Low 20°F Precip: 40% Wind: NNE at 10 mph UV Index: 3 Moderate Humidity: 71% Sunrise: 7:07 AM Sunset: 6:27 PM close details Sight- seeing Index: 1 None Length Of Day: 11 hrs 20 mins

Sunday 11 Travel Forecast Snow Shower High 34°F Low 21°F Precip: 40% Wind: N at 11 mph UV Index: 5 Moderate Humidity: 71% Sunrise: 7:09 AM Sunset: 6:26 PM Last Quarter Moon Sight- seeing Index: 1 None Length Of Day: 11 hrs 17 mins

So then we thought of Pueblo, Colorado. Further south....but then this weather appeared. I can handle the rain but why travel to camp, drink, and ride if all your gonna get is prune skin. Besides Pueblo suffers the fate of most Front Range trails...Sticky goo when wet...pfft..

Friday Oct 9 Weather Related Repairs Sunny High 63°F Low 26°F Precip: 20% Wind: SE at 10 mph UV Index: 6 High Humidity: 49% Sunrise: 7:02 AM Sunset: 6:29 PM Sight- seeing Index: 8 High Length Of Day: 11 hrs 27 mins

Saturday 10 Flight Delays Showers High 47°F Low 27°F Precip: 40% Wind: E at 11 mph UV Index: 6 High Humidity: 61% Sunrise: 7:03 AM Sunset: 6:27 PM close details Sight- seeing Index: 4 Low Length Of Day: 11 hrs 24 mins

Sunday 11 Travel Forecast Few Showers High 55°F Low 30°F Precip: 30% Wind: E at 11 mph UV Index: 6 High Humidity: 56% Sunrise: 7:04 AM Sunset: 6:26 PM Last Quarter Moon Sight- seeing Index: 7 High Length Of Day: 11 hrs 22 mins

Looking a little further west. MMMM...Grand Junction and the Lunch loops are awfully tempting...But then there is Salida. Sure the Crest is under snow but there is said to be great riding down lower if your willing to look. Since I only have from 4pm Friday afternoon till late Saturday evening to go to a destination, set up camp, ride, drink, ride...I'll shoot for Salida which is a full two hours close to my hacienda.

Friday Oct 9 Weather Related Repairs Mostly Sunny High 54°F Low 32°F Precip: 10% Wind: W at 17 mph UV Index: 6 High Humidity: 45% Sunrise: 7:08 AM Sunset: 6:34 PM Sight- seeing Index: 3 Low Length Of Day: 11 hrs 26 mins

Saturday 10 Flight Delays Partly Cloudy High 53°F Low 32°F Precip: 20% Wind: WSW at 11 mph UV Index: 6 High Humidity: 44% Sunrise: 7:09 AM Sunset: 6:32 PM close details Sight- seeing Index: 2 None Length Of Day: 11 hrs 23 mins

Sunday 11 Travel Forecast Partly Cloudy High 56°F Low 34°F Precip: 20% Wind: W at 12 mph UV Index: 6 High Humidity: 40% Sunrise: 7:10 AM Sunset: 6:31 PM Last Quarter Moon Sight- seeing Index: 3 Low Length Of Day: 11 hrs 21 mins