How I roll - the stuff in my pockets

So I dunno if you've noticed by now but I can be pretty particular when it comes to.........well anything really. Since cycling occupies most of my time, it gets over analysed ad nauseam. The benefit to you? I do a lot of the hard work, trial and error, and money wasting.
Here are the basics of what I take with me on every ride and why. Obviously it varies by the length, temperature, and type of ride but these basic tools will be with me 99.999999% of the time.

-pump/CO2 inflator
-CO2
-multi-tool
-tube
-tube patches
-Shimano chain pins / quick link
-cash
*on solo rides*
-MP3 player and headphones

Genuine Innovations - Second Wind mountain bike version
First things first lets take a look at the pump. Found this little gem probably about 5 years ago and I am lovin' it! So it's a mini pump, no big deal, gets the tires up to about 40psi with a billion strokes. The great thing about it however is that the head of the pump can be un-screwed and you can use it as a C02 inflator. It is an awesome inflator too.
Sooooo if you get a flat you can use it as a regular C02 inflator. Then if you get another flat you can use it as a pump when all of your CO2 is gone or you screwed it up the first try or you are too cheap to use a cartridge (me).
I replace this guy about every 2 years because like any CO2 inflator the seals tend to get a little worn out and it stops working effectively as an inflator. They make a road version that reaches higher pressure but I have yet to try that one. I think they are actually updating/upgrading this for next year so not sure if this specific model will be around much longer. You can bet I'll be one of the first to try out the new model.

Topeak Nexus multitool
This is what separates the mechanics from the guys who watched their buddy adjust their brakes that one time. This thing has everything you could practically want on a ride, meaning that you will be able to fix 99% of the trouble you might expect to realistically encounter while on the bike. Has all your common Allen key sizes, some spoke wrenches, couple screwdrivers, a Torx bit for disc rotor bolts, and a really great chain breaker (even has a little wire that holds the chain together while you repair it). There is even a slot that nicely fits a couple Shimano chain pins. I keep a 9 and 10 speed pin stowed in the rare occurrence of a Shimano chain breakage.

Tube

Doesn't really matter which route you go here. I always keep my tube in a ZipLock bag for an extra layer of protection. The higher end tubes ($10) are nice because they are wrapped up smaller, come in their own plastic, and have talcum powder dusted on them already so they slide into place better.

Honestly I neeeever flat. I find the only tubes I use are for my ill-prepared friends. Probably for the best because you should replace your spare tube at least once per season. Nothing sucks more than fixing a flat only to find out that your spare tube has a hole in it!

No glue tube patches

So this is how the story goes. I was riding with a friend (Mr. Tomsic I think??) down in South Carolina. We had set out on a fairly epic 160km mountain ride that traversed a bit of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. I had already had a flat earlier that day when I ran over a piece of glass, my spare tube was now gone (used).

So we get to the Parkway to find that it is closed, no big deal bikes are still allowed (I think?). We are bookin' along at about 75km/h when I double flat on chunk in the road. So here is the problem, I have 2 flats, we only have 1 tube left between the 2 of us. The real problem was that we were about 40km from anything....... like a person. The road was closed so no traffic to flag down. I was thinking ohhhhhh damn.

As we considered our options I started to remove my shoes as walking seemed like the best course of action. Just as we started to set off to certain death an angel floated by on two wheels and proceeded to give me a tube. It was the only cyclist we saw the whole 7 hours we were riding that day and I vowed that I would never be stuck like that again. It was a sign.

So that is the reason for the patches. They cost like $4, have 6 self glued patches you just peel and stick, and take up very little space. A must have.

Quick link and/or Shimano pins

For whatever brand of chain you used. Pictured is the one for my KMC chain. A SRAM link will work on Shimano chains of the same speed. Usually I will use the Shimano pins on Shimano chains because, in my opinion, it is a stronger bond.

Cash

Cause you never know when you will get the munchies.

I keep all this stuff in the ZipLock bag because then you can just grab and go. Bag doubles as a rain jacket for my MP3 player and headphones in the event of precipitation.

MP3 Player - Creative Zen 8 GB

I know what you are thinking, "you ride with music?? OMG that is like soooo dangerous! What if a blood thirsty Pterodactyl swoops down and pecks your eyes out??!??!?!"

Lets just say that life is full of risks. It's like a big game of risk vs reward and in this case I like my music so I ride with it. Really what difference is it going to make if I can hear the car behind me that is about to run me over? I don't have eyes on the back of my head and I'm sure as hell not going to look back every time I think I hear one. I ride defensively, obey the traffic laws, ride predictably, and pay attention to my surroundings. I think that goes a lot further towards me staying safe on the bike.

Favorite ride music includes but is not limited to:

-Depeche Mode

-Massive Attack

-Daft Punk

-Deadmau5

-Moby

-The Prodigy

-Beastie Boys

-Dave Matthews

-Various 1-3 hour long electronic/techno/dance albums

-Genesis (Phil Collins ftw)

Headphones - Ultimate Ears 700, earbud style

Did I mention that I like music?? Well I do. And I take is seriously, I guess. These babies are amazing. Did a couple months of research before deciding on these. They are supposed to be the best mix of sound and lightweight. They block outside noise (a nuclear blast would go unheard) and are dual armature which means they cover lows and highs with two different drivers. Took some monkeying around to find the best fitting earpieces but they are supplied with tons of options.

Here's a trick to not having the headphones pulled out of your ears when something pulls on the cord. I zip tie a safety pin to the cord of all my headphones. I attach the pin where the two ear piece wires join together. Clip the pin to your shirt (or jersey) and anything that pulls on the main cord will just pull on the safety pin and leave the two ear piece cords unaffected.

That's it. That is the stuff that is bulging in my pockets when I ride. Now you know.

Ben

XTR Shadow Ben-meya rear derailleur

Wow what a journey! This sucker is done.........................................
well errrr ok not 100% but very very close. Just need a couple more tiny bolts since a few of the ones I ordered didn't work out (ok well one didn't work out and I accidentally ruined the other haha). Looks like it will be around the 145-150 gram mark once the finishing touches are done. Went for looks and durability over stupid light weight. Still how I managed to take 40 grams off of the normal weight of this derailleur is pretty nuts. Not bad for my first project.

So here is the master list:
-drilled out steel pivot pins. Tapped threads and replaced pins with aluminum screws.
-main derailleur body had some material shaved and drilled off. Polished to a mirror and painted gold.
-carbon upper hanger plate. Painted gold on one surface and re-cleared.
-aluminum upper hanger plate bolt. Polished gold anodizing off part of the surface and brought to a mirror, gold anodizing left on some surfaces.
-Token aluminum pulley wheels with ceramic bearings. Polished gold anodizing off of the surface and brought to a mirror. Gold anodizing left in cutouts.
-carbon short cage from Speedware. Painted gold except for the outwards facing surfaces (left raw carbon) and re-cleared.
-polished cage spring bolt
-polished main body spring
-all screws replaced with gold aluminum
-custom support stand fabricated from old shadow cage lol

What is left?
-lower hanger plate bolt (purchased in gold aluminum but didn't fit. Re-ordering in Ti)
-gold aluminum cable pinch bolt and polished cable sandwich plate, ruined the gold one I had trying to cut to size :-( .
-respray a few damaged areas and blemishes
-final polish of mirrored surfaces.

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for!

Where it all started

There's one at every party

You can only be polite for so long.......

Speed on a bike cannot be created or destroyed

only transferred from one rider to another.

Pauls Dirty Enduro - 2010
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. A time where overused phrases and cliches were used, with ill efficiency, to segue into one mans 1st person account of what happened that fate full day.

The build up
Ok so here's the deal. I am pretty darn fit right now but I know that kid was much stronger than me last year. He also seems to be beating me on a fairly regular basis in the O-Cup scene. So where is my advantage? Well I am really hoping that I can win through some technical fault or fluke like last year. I like my chances.

Red eyed Sat a.m.
K seriously wtf 5:45am??? I was smarter this year to not wake up at 5 at least. No point in sitting around in the cold for 45 minutes. Might as well get some extra blanket time.
Actually pretty warm out considering the sun isn't even up yet. I am sooooo thankful for the weather. Luck strikes again for Paul's!

Arrival at the venue
Oh geez there are way too many people who are all like "gonna win another one eh Ben". I guess they don't realise or don't remember that I really shouldn't have won last year.
Why does this dude insist on taking 8 centillion photo's of me? Why must they document my inevitable failure??
Aw look they have some photo's of Paul Rush riding the Ganny. Wish I could have met him. I bet he would have had a lot of fun doing this awesome 100km course. Gets better every year.

It begins
So looks like a pretty good group this year. I see that my nemesis is here. Really he is a lot like me so technically if he wins than I am actually the real winner through some convoluted logic which seems to have come and went as quickly as my energy during the 80km's that follow.
Not even bothering with the headphones this year. I know it will be a battle and not a solo ride in the woods like previous years.
That Tall Tree's rider (who I later found out was named Matt) seems to be going out awfully hard for someone I have never heard of. He is gonna blow for sure. Seems to be running into a lot of stuff. Zac is going fast too on his singlespeed. He usually dies in the last 40km's though, he's not a threat.

45km's done
Well we all got through that feed zone pretty fast. Quite the scramble. Organised chaos but old hat for me since I have been using the 2 bottle method for 3 or 4 years now.
*The 2 bottle method is as follows:
-start with 2 full 750mL bottles, one on bike, one in jersey
-toss empty bottle at first feed zone (20km's in)
-finish 2nd bottle by second feed zone (45km's in and at the start/finish point again since it is a figure 8 course).
-grab 2 bottles placed by me at the start/finish and keep riding
-toss empty bottle at next feed zone (65km's)
-fill up bottle at 80km or 90km feed zone if needed.
Total stopping time for the entire race = 30 seconds

wow we are really starting to pick up the pace. I think Andrew is trying to drop me and Tall Trees Matt. I think he might be over extending himself a little.
Ok we're 70km's in. Andrew is towing me around like a sac of potatoes. Definitely not overextending himself. Tall Trees Matt is gone off the back. I am really going way too hard. I have felt out of my comfort zone since the big push began at the 50km mark. Oh well if I am going down it's gonna be in a blaze of glory.
Ok starting to feel a bonk coming on. Getting dizzy, stomach is angry at me. Better eat a bar, even if it is a little ahead of schedule.
Ahhh that feels way better. Where are we now? 75km's eh.
Ok the 2nd last feed zone. Andrew is stopping for a second. Maybe I'll test the legs a little. Ohh boy they are so very done. He caught back up I'm sure 5 seconds after stopping. Kid's got energy to spare.

*"OK that's it, I'm done"
"What? No you gotta keep going"
"No I can't. Have fun"
"See ya"

And just like that he was gone. I had lost. Why did I decide to shut her down juuust after a feed zone? I am sooo hungry. I'll pinball my way through the trees and try not to think too much about the delicious PBJ sandwiches waiting for me at the 90km mark.

The 90km final feed zone
Ohhh thank you jebuz. Nom nom nom; life giving PBJ, nectar of the gods. Ok I've zoned out long enough. Time to get back on the bike and finish this SOB. Oh look there goes squeaky drivetrain Tall Trees Matt. Guess it was I that blew up. Ohh the irony.
Perhaps it is a PBJ induced coma but there goes Mr. Zac Wheeler cranking by me on his singlespeed with 1km to go on the never ending 5 minute long climb. Well if you're not first you're last. It was worth it!
Hmn still 10 minutes faster than last year. What an amazing day of racing. I am actually really glad that there is such a fast field to make this extremely hard race even harder. Almost a personal best time for me. Next year should be amazing.

That's a typical Paul's Dirty Enduro experience in a nut shell. I'd have to say it was the funnest one that I can remember. All hail King Andrew and long live old man Dawson. Yes I am just a man now, my reign of terror is over.

-photo's when they come. Send me some if you have them!

Bean-o!

Carolina Tour Option - Caesar's Head

Thar's cycling gold in them hills!

Caesar’s Head – Road ride
This ride leaves from the scenic Table Rock State Park. Wind your way East through the twisty back roads to the base of the Caesar’s Head climb. Roughly 10km’s of switchbacks taking you up to about 1000m above sea level. Regroup at the top and take in the scenery at the overlook. Quick descent down the backside and back onto the extremely scenic, meandering, velvety paved roads which take us West to HWY 178. Make the climb back up to the continental divide and enjoy 2 switchback descents followed by some more meandering as we make our way East back to Table Rock State Park.
Ideal lesson topics covered:
-Pacing
-Descending
-Cadence
-Riding in a group

Location: Table Rock State Park
Est. driving time: 45 minutes one way
Difficulty: Intermediate
Km’s covered: approx. 95km
Ride time: Est. 4hours

Race Prep Pro in Peterborough on September 28th

Like the title says. I will be in Peterborough on September the 28th and available to service bikes. Flat rate of $20/hr. I will have all of my tools and will be fully operational to the max. Available hours are limited and it is first come first serve. Let me know what you need and I'll make it happen!
Service is performed at the location I am staying. I can come pick the bike up and drop off (for a fee) or you can drop off and pick up.

text or call: 705 229 6923

email: benmtbdawson@yahoo.ca

Benno

Carolina Tour Option - Pisgah National Forest

Pisgah Trail System: Black Mountain – Mountain biking
Strap on your shoes for a truly epic experience. Pisgah is the real deal! This Black Mountain ride has easily become one of my favourites after spending a week last year perfecting the route. Ride 45 minutes of scenic twisty fire road (or 45 minutes of extremely technical singletrack climbing, you decide) as you creep closer to the top of the first peak. Duck into the singletrack for another 15-20 minutes of steep, technical climbing taking you up the sister peak to Black Mountain (2 free beers to those who manage to ride all the way to the top of this peak!). You get a little bit of a breather with a great singletrack descent which brings you to the base of the Black Mountain climb.
Steep, technical climbing sprinkled with some hike-a-bike portions will challenge you to see how far you can ride different sections before having to put a foot down. Finally you’ve made it up to the scenic vistas on Black Mountain.
After taking in the view you get your first 10 minute descent. Let your brakes cool with a quick 5 minute technical singletrack climb before heading down the second 10 minute descent. The latter featuring flowy berms and jumps, bringing you back to Hwy 276 with a short 5 minute ride to the car. If you are feeling adventurous we can head back out to Coontree Mtn. aka Mt. Motherf***er for a final 15km loop with a relentless climb and amazing ridge ride singletrack descent right back to the car.
Ideal lesson topics covered while at Pisgah:
-Pacing
-Technical singletrack climbing
-Energy conservation
-Selecting a line

Location: Pisgah National Forest
Est. driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes one way
Difficulty: Advanced
Km’s of trail: 300+km
Ride time: Est. 4-5 hours

Starting the long climb up