From Zeigmeister:

"The Arrowhead 135 starts this weekend. Kid Riemer and Dave Gray are heading up to take on this challenging event. It is a 135 mile bike, ski, or run race on the 135 mile Arrowhead trail. The Arrrowhead is a multi use trail (mostly snowmobile in the winter) through Superior National Forest. It starts in International Falls and ends in Tower (often the coldest place in the lower 50)."

Go here to visit the official website.

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There is a lot of new Surly stuff either already here or coming within a month. Let's talk about those things, hmm?

Travelers Checks are coming. The magic here, of course, is that they cleave in twain (on purpose) and fit into a case that does not exceed dimension standards for regular luggage. In other words, it doesn't cost you extra to take your bike with you. A bit spendy compared to a regular C.C., a T.C. will pay for itself after a few times not having to pay to take your bike on airplanes, trains, etc. QBP will carry 2 cases for them. One is a hard case, which protects your bike and which is easy to tow as you glide through airports, hotel lobbies, and it's a good size for fitting in taxis, on buses on the way to airport, etc. The softcase has backpack straps. Get to where you're going, put your bike together, throw your bag into the bike case and ride to the hotel or where ever.

Big Dummies are coming too. Not just for hippies and bike nerds, these things haul a lot -a LOT- and ride smooth to boot. The progression on the Big Dummy learning curve goes something like this:

1) I hate it. It's long and seems heavy and looks weird and is not as fast as my regular bike with panniers and I don't know where I'll store it.
2) I stopped at the store on my way home last night. You can really pack a lot on that thing! I'm going to try loading my other bike on it and see how it does.
3) Wow, it's not nearly as hard as I thought it would be at first. I carried home paint and lumber from the hardware store yesterday and had to ride that killer hill. It was way easier than I thought it would be.
4) I won't be able to get your loaner BD back to you again this week, Kenny.

Why the hell would you want this when you have a perfectly good rack and fenders, or a trailer? Panniers (known in this office as 'panyas', which is half-mumbled in a Christopher Walken inflection) do what they do well but can't do everything. Trailers have their benefits and drawbacks, just like everything else. Cargo bikes have their place too. And that place may just be where your car currently sits.



Mr. Whirly cranks have been totally bitchin' in performance testing, not to mention that the lovely and talented Ms. Bloggins has bestowed on them her Award of Good Taste, declaring them good looking in addition to performing flawlessly, and if you've ever met Ms. Bloggins I think you'll agree that her aesthetic opinion carries some water. More than just a pretty face, Mr. Whirly is as versatile as B Rose is short-tempered. Cro-moly spindles are available in two lengths, one to fit normal bikes (68&73mm BB shells) and one to fit abnormal bikes such as the Pugsley, which sports a 100mm BB shell. Interchangeable spiders (94mm, 104mm, & 110mm BCDs). 170, 175, and 180mm lengths to start, with 165 and 185mm to follow. Available as armsets and parts ala carte, and also as complete cranks in single speed (33t stainless ring, 175 & 180mm) and triple (22-32-44t, 175mm, standard or long spindle) versions. Cranks in black, armsets and spiders in black or silver.

Surly's stainless steel cable 'angers have been here for a while. Why would you want one? Because they 'elp solve the mushy brake feel you get on rear cantilevers. The 'anger straightens the cable routing in the tight spot near the post, which is nice because it makes the brake work better. Our Cross Check frames and complete bikes will come with them starting....NOW. Ask your shop to get you BR9999 if you're so inclined.

Also in the stainless steel department, our post clamps. 31.8mm available now, 30.0mm available soon. They look really good. They work really good. They will not rust because they don't have rust glands. They will be included on all our frames and bikes (except the Conundrum and the Instigator, because they will still benefit from the extra clampability offered by the Cosnstrictor clamp we've always used). The Constrictor will still be available for youse seeking high clampability, such as using an old post in an old frame, or anywhere post slippage is likely to occur or already happening.

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Zito down at the OOOOBS saw my post about the blog rating thang and took it as a challenge to get something better than a G rating. But in spite of all the cocks & balls he employed, the blog page, when I plugged it in earlier today, still only drew a PG13 rating, which is not enough to boil water. Again, though, I believe this gives creedence to my assertion that the rating system may not be as straightforward and useful as concerned citizens may desire.

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Finally today, thank jebus for David Lynch.