Move on over

Hello are you still out there? Please tune in at www.travissaeler.com Have you tryed the new typepad site?

Say Goodbye tp the old and Hello to the New

Well I hope that everyone has found their way to my new site but for those of you that don't log on thru www.travissaeler.com you maybe wondering where I've went and why there hasn't been any new posts. I've switched over to a newer style of weblog where I can posts better links and photo albums with a lot more pictures for those of you to view.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the new site......
stork

When is it considered a "bad" ride?

After another day of misery at work, which seems to be the norm recently I loaded up the SuperCal 29er and drove off to Moraine. TJ had given me his wheelset with the new Bontrager Tubeless ACX setup so I could get them "ridden in". For those unaware of how tubeless works I'll explain. The wheels get a strip installed on the inside with a permanent valve stem, you then install the tire but before rolling the last section of bead onto the rim you put some type of sealant into the tire. In this case we have chosen Bontragers Super Juice. You then air the tire up and continue until the pressure goes somewhere above 60 pounds and you'll hear the bead "pop" onto the rim. You will also see the sealant bubble in areas around the bead. Once you have done this its best to leave the extra pressure in them for awhile then air them down to your desired pressure and ride them. Riding them gets the sealant worked around the inside the best and will usually do the trick for getting the tire completely sealed. This is what I was doing for TJ since he didn't have time to ride off road before this weekends race.
So Moraine it was again, except everything seemed to be working against me. First up as I bombed down thru some rocks a stick kicked up and into my front wheel thus ripping my computer transmitter from its mount. What could I do? Nothing so I just shook my head & continued.

Well it didn't stop there. Only about 5 mins later I twisted the shifter for the front drive train and "snap" nothing! I stopped and rolled the bike over only to see that a rock had rolled up off the front tire and smashed the derailleur cable leaving only a strand or two holding it together but as soon as I tried to shift it broke completely. Now I'm part way thru the park and my ride officially reached the status of "bad"! Broken transmitter, broken cable what next? Well let me tell you that a "bad" ride beats out no ride so I did as anyone in my shoes would do. No I didn't get out my tools and reset the limits on the derailleur instead I road the remainder of the ride in the little ring spinning a high cadence and sitting most of the ride. It was a bit different but never the less I completed the ride. Oh well off to the shop to make a few adjustments & repairs, but remember "bad" rides are expected on occasion so don't fight them just find your way through something good may come of anyway.

stork

Greenbrier

Outside the window of our table @ Dennys in Hagerstown we watched this happy little duck waddle around the parking lot before nestling down in the dew covered grass just beside the entrance, as if to lay claim to its territory. It made me think about my race that would start @ 3:30 that day, would I be waddling around the course looking all happy? laying claim to the territory? Probably not but never the less we finished breakfast and headed in the direction of Greenbrier State Park.
Today's race held the fate of my riders dreams. It would be a qualifier for an invite to something in the way of a National race. Also the UCI (pros that ride for a living) riders gather points from races like these for Olympic qualifiers. So the field of riders would be many and would be strong. Above is a picture of me & Jerry Bliton who was back on the bike for the first time in weeks (since some back surgery) and tooling around the course showing his support to all. Thanks Jerry as always it was great seeing you and thanks for all the encouragement! Chris & Jeremiah after a good but unsatisfying finish. Both guys are great athletes and very normal people. I spoke with both of them in length while hanging out at the Trek Tent with Stephen Hoover (Trek Regional East Team) who included me as a member for the weekend.
Michelle, Gunnar, Chris Eatough & his wife with their new baby, Congrats to them!

Heres two more well known faces... Gunnar & Betsy (bunny) Shogren.

Michelle entering her second lap for a victory in the 30/39 Female Sport group! Great job Champ!



Ok So Michelle kicked some butt @ 10:30 which leaves me to race @ 3:30. By this time of the day I'm thinking of driving home and calling it a weekend, but that isn't how you do things. No even when you're feeling like doing something else duty calls and you're lined up at the Start. I was riding the new Ferrous for its first race and was a bit concerned about how it would handle and perform with the fast, rocky course. Nothing to worry about the starting whistle blew and off the 28 singlespeeders go! Several of the guys in my group are really strong riders and one of them I have raced several times. Most of those times I came out the victor but today's stars where not aliened in my favor. Shortly into the course two riders went around me and hung out in front But within my view for the first 2 laps before pulling away on the 3rd. I did somehow manage to hang on to my 3rd place position for the Bronze. It turned out to be a very tough day for me but there's a long season ahead with many more fast competitors to square off with.



We hung around for the awards with Gunnar, Betsy, Mike & Erin Yozell, Amy Breyla & CB before packin it in and turning toward the west..


stork

200+ miles from Home

Saturday April 28th
Michelle and I drove into Maryland around noon today, straight to the State park (WHERE WE HAD TO PAY $4 PER PERSON TO ENTER) remember how much you paid to "use" your favorite PA Park? Nothing? Correct! ok there,s probably tax money in use to operate them but this subject is better left for another post, sorry. Anyway we unloaded the Cranberry Tart (Escape) and got ready for a little pre ride.Since I just got this new SuperCal 29er Built yesterday I thought that using it for my pre-ride would be a great way to check for rattles & squeaks. This was a mistake. I loved the feel of floating over the rock littered course! And the climbs.... sitting, spinning, and pain free lower back! Traction was almost to much with the new Bontrager ACX Tubeless Ready Tires that I had mounted to the Race X Lite TLR Disc 29 Rims. A Big thanks to TO for hookin me up with this stuff! I'm very impressed with both the rims & the tires and will most definitely have these Tires on my other bikes as soon as I get my hands on more.


Ok since fueling up @ the Longhorn SteakHouse we're now headin out to the DQ but check back tomorrow night or monday morning & keep your fingers crossed for me. I need all the help I can get.

Summer life on the road!

stork

The Planting of the Tree

Its coming. What you ask? Well how about a new updated cutting edge website! I've been working dilegently infront of the monitor for the past few days on the new layout & design of travissaeler.com Soon I will be converting from the eblogger to the new server.

Quick links to some of my favorite pages,

a photo album section for you to scroll through including photos of some of the cool bikes and gear I get to try.

But I've promised myself that i wouldn't be posting it until its fully complete.

It's been several months since I've started this site and now that I've learned how to operate it and understand a few things better I thought that it would be best to make the next step towards a professional weblog. I'll tell you that it takes a ton of time and I'm sure my results at this weekends race will reflect it but its just a temporary thing. Once the site it built and running I'lll be back to just adding posts as they come.

. .. .. .... .. .. .. . ... .... ..... .... .... .. .. ... . .. .. . .. .... .. . stork

Welcome to a world of Pain episode #33

Wow what a wake up call todays race turned out to be! Michelle & I rolled into the New Ken Eatn'Park to meet TJ. Some warm oatmeal, eggs bacon & Coffee and we where off to Bruceton Mills West Virginia for the Second WVMBA race @ Big Bear Lake. Since today was sunny & warm the turnout would be be big. As we arrived the parking lot surrounding the building already had tons of cars loaded with bikes and gear while their drivers filtered in to sign up. Almost immediately upon getting out of the car I'm spotted by Mike Yozell (who races many of the Mid Atlantic Super Series races with me last year). I then knew this was going to be a hard day because with guys like Mike the pace was going to be blistering. Most of the times Mike & I squared off last year I managed to stay out in front even with the handicap of my single speed but he was always a close chaser forcing me to step it up. I would be piloting my older Fisher Paragon 29er with the multi gear drive train. I spent most of Saturday piecing this bike back together because I didn't want to use the new Ferrous until I worked out my crank issues. I've always felt that I'm a bit slower on the geared bike but with reservations I brought it anyway.

The Race started off with a mass start of all expert classes and I managed to stay up front with TJ, Jeff Shaulk (Trek East Coast Regional Team) & an older training friend Andy Gorski. Jeff pulled out of site once we hit the gravel fire road so Andy, TJ & I worked together until hitting the single track where Andy & I missed a sharp right hand turn and found ourselves careening through the brush. A quick dismount and some skillfully leaping and we where back on course but a few guys managed to pass us due to this mistake. Never the less they where putting the hammer down and pulled out of site as I followed Andy. A few miles later I, along with a few others, worked our way around Andy and continued on. Somewhere around the 7 mile mark I noticed just how fatigued I was feeling and though about how badly I was pedaling this geared thing. Why can't I manage to hammer when I have more than one gear choice? A few positions where exchanged and I wasn't sure where I was placed at that moment but I did think about eating a Gel. As I ripped open the package and tasted the first bit i bobbed and weaved over the trail, suddenly i noticed it tasted a lot like dirt! No it wasn't the Gel I was now on the ground almost a foot or so away from my bike! What happened I asked myself? As i climbed back on to the bike in pure disgust I noticed the rock I hit while one handing the bar in order to squeeze the gel down my gullet. My skills suck! During my lust to taste the earthy dirt below me I managed to bang my knees and inner thighs pretty good, so as I continued on I could feel the bruising and swelling.

This is why bikers shave their legs. When cleaning the dirt and rocks out & as these scraps/cuts heal it's always better without dealing with the normal leg hair.

Ok back to the story at hand, the pain wasn't real bad but enough to notice as I started pedaling. With only a half dozen or so guys in front of me I convinced myself to up the output and cranked onward but as we neared the end of the course Mike Yozell came screaming up behind me & passed me and anothe guy (Sport Class) but just as he passed us the other guy wiped out and forced me to nose wheelie into another crash! I picked myself up only to see Mike pulling away and holding on to the gap for the finish. Nice job Mike! (also on a 29er). In the end I finished up with a solid 3rd in the Vet class seconds behind Mike (2nd) and we where behind Justin P. (1st also on a Fisher Paragon 29er).

Lets hope I get things together in the next month or I'll be needing to look for new sponsors next year like Barnes & Nobles (where I could sit and read about racing and riding).

Thanks to TO, Gary Fisher, Bontrager Components Wheelworks & Tires, Boone Ti Rings, Deans Recovery Milk, Trek of PGH, Don Mosites, Bob Myers & his Trek/Nike Products, & Serfas Glasses.

Oh yea & Thanks to everyone their who put me in the hurt locker.

Michelle Did well with a Second Place Finish in the womens Sport group.

TJ Finished up with a second also in the Mens Pro/Expert. Great job buddy, a little slow starting but as always a locomotive once you get rolling!

stork

Still Searching Rev 1

Day two of testing the Ferrous-

Changed the cranks from my usual XTR & Boone Ti Ring to the Bontrager SS Race Cranks

These cranks use a Truvativ Bottom Bracket which have 113mm Spindle instead of the 112.5 of the XTR and these also have a thinner crank arm which with a combination of the two should give me the necessary clearance.

Again out to the "testing grounds" of Moraine State Parks MTB Trail. Thankfully changing these items did the trick but now I'm forced to use a Q Factor that is wider than I like and at times while maneuvering thru the rocks I noticed my leg/calf still touching the seat stays due to their width. This isn't horrible but I didn't like it. Will I race this bike? Probably because I like the feel of the springy steel. How about racing it tomorrow? No. I still need to dial in a few other things so if I manage to feel ok (still fighting a lingering cold and allergies) I'll probably race the Vet class with my Paragon for a warm up to Greenbrier AMBC race that is coming next weekend.

stork

How They Discovered Something Worth Knowing

So I'm thinking of attending the WVMBA race this coming weekend if I manage to hold off this lingering cold that everyone around me seems to be getting, so I took that Ferrous I built back in December off the wall hook last night & went to Moriane State Park. I could sence the bikes excitment to carve the trails, it was somewhat like the excitment a new puppy has when you take it for its first visit to the park. Yea it knows something cool is about to happen but it isn't sure what, never the less it gets real antsy & excited. This is what I senced the Ferrous was feeling. Those of you from around here understand the trail @ Moriane and just how difficult & rocky it is. It isn't a long trail (yet) looping around for a total 7 miles but its a great testing ground for any new bike and its handeling and ride qualities. On to the trial system I went and I must say I was looking forward to riding this Steel Steed. I always take any bike that I've rebuilt out for a good test ride to make sure everything is working properly and all adjustments suite my liking. I quickly noticed its flexibility as I rocketed across the first section of rocks and small boulders, impressive. As I started the first small climb up the Power Line I instantly noticed a thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk, with every pedal stroke. At the top of the climb I stop to inspect the bike and the origin of the noise. It didn't take me more than a few seconds to notice my crank arm was hitting the chainstay as the bike flex under my pedal stroke (also known as storktorq). How disappointing! This wasn't something I could remedy on the trial, in fact this will require me to install a wider Bottom bracket or different crankset.Since the Ferrous has an extra wide rear frame I will be unable to maintain the shorter Q factor (distance between cranks) that suites my smaller build. This is good information for those of you wanting to purchase a Ferrous. Also with this tight fit my heels rubbed the seatstays as my pedal stroke came around. I was immediately let down but since this fix couldn't be made I forged onward to test the feel & ride of the steel frame over the rocks. I must say that this bike felt similar to my older Bluestone Ti frames, springy, flexy, responsive & comfortable. I really liked it except for the frame width factor. I'm almost positive that this bike won't get raced much because of this frame width. When you ride as much as someone like me you notice things like Q factors and they become very important, yes I ride other bikes with a wider Q factor but for racing I like my stuff set up a certain way, with this bike I will be unable to get those measurements. Well, enough about my disappointments along the trial I came across Greg (below-a student @ SRU and Danny Wilsons Room Mate). Danny Wilson has been a past teammate of mine for more than a few years up to this season and currently helps students @ SRU to obtain bikes to travel to classes. Also Out on the new section of trial , yes I said new section (almost 4 miles of singletrack littered with more rocks & boulders) was Dan Spurk who was building more of the trial. He was eager to tell me just how the trail would finish up with an awesome gradual decline where momentum will carry you over and through a large section of rocks! He's hoping that his group will have this completed before Summer. If you have time look for the Trail building days on the PORC website. Thanks Dan and everyone else for this new section and the relations between bikers and the Park Manager. We need more guys like Dan.
Oh before I sign off let me add a bit about the new shorts that I got. There a pair of Treks top line Circuit Bibs and boy are they nice. Small chamois, good fit with a rubber lining around the leg ends instead of elastic (which creeps up during a ride). The rubber is just a bit tacky and sticks instead of needing to tighten around your thigh. I really liked these and will more than likely be getting a few more for the race season.
Stork

Mingo, Mango, Mumba

Sunday rolled around to see me lining up at yet another Mingo Road race. Cold weather, raining and a steady wind, how fun! These races are a great learning tool for me. Since I never road race enough to upgrade a license (stuck w/a 4) I never do them because of the possibility of getting hurt and effecting my true loyalty to Fisher & the 29er Crew.
But somehow I manage to slide in (accepted by the race promoter) to the Cat 1/2/3 event and the risk of injury lessens because these individuals have had to race in large groups in order to earn the Cat 3 or above status.

This weeks race was missing a few riders but never the less a nice group of 1/2/3 racer where at the start line including my good friend Tim Lyons (Freddie Fu Racing). Tim treated me like his personal intern softly shouting orders to me explaining where and what I should be doing. To bad he flatted out in the first 1/2 mile but lucky for me they let him back in on our start of the 2nd lap with the restriction of doing nothing to help or hinder the group, meaning he couldn't pull or get in any ones way. He could however school me on the ways of a roadie & school me he did!

Travis get up there, Travis pay attention to those two, Your wheel should be behind their wheel, when one of those guys break you need to be with them, Travis don't do anything to kill yourself, sit in here, get ready it looks like "go" time. So I rode around a lap or 2 sprinting to someone wheel as they tried to make breaks but once they noticed it was unsuccessful they returned back to the group. Finally on the 4th lap a guy made a break on the small hill and I targeted his rear wheel like a buzzard on a gut wagon., only then he turned and said something about a teammate and he started to slow down. I'm a newbie so I pulled of his wheel and sat up only to see his teammate scream by and pull him off in front of me. I tried to bridge the small gap but working by myself was impossible as I watched them ride off. Hell with it here I am out front of the group riding solo maybe I can make it stick for awhile before getting swallowed up in the group pursuing me. Around the start finish and I see my gap growing so my mtb instinct starts to take over & I find myself wanting to make this solo thing last but with 2 more laps to go it sounds impossible to me. Worst thing that could happen? I get caught, right?, right!

I buckled down and started concentrating on a steady rhythm (no thanks to any music, road races don't allow mp3 players- how boring). Next I hear the bell and still no group behind me in sight. Excellent I did it, I pulled off a solo break in the Cat 1/2/3 and finished up with 4th Place!

Thanks to Don Mosites, Gary Bywaters, Fisher Bikes, Tim Lyons for the instructions & Lunch @ Moes & Especially Bontrager Components (my new race Xlite road wheels)

I couldn't believe the differance I noticed between these new wheels and my existing Mavic Open Pros that are laced to a King Classic Hub. These wheels seemed to freespin effortlessly and something tells me they had something to do with my success this past weekend. They felt fast, stiff & very smooth which are all good qualities!

stork

In Search of Puddleglum

Friday nights voice message was from Chris, one of the guys I rode with on Good Friday. "Travis, Chris here, Mike & I are riding Kennerdall tomorrow morning, if you're interested give me a call". I sat on the couch thinking how can I tell Michelle that I'm going to bail on our Saturday plans to go ride. Luckily Michelle isn't one of those girls who get over dramatic at something like this & she understands my commitment to riding & racing. My commitment to things probably is one of the things she likes about me best. Anyway with the upcoming race season and my new sponsorship with the Gary Fisher 29er Team she understands that I need ride time. So I broke it to her with the added information that we would be riding early so I wouldn't be home late. She said sure thing, see ya when you get home, but I think she knew that anytime I go riding its never in the allotted time. Saturday morning found me listening to the Bee Gees waiting for Chris & Mike to arrive. We got ready and off to the trials. Since these two had only ridden here one other time I became the official tour guide, which I never mind doing. I really enjoy riding with these guys and we kept a steady pace stopping on occasion to point out different routes & trails while getting a breather. I rode my 2006 Fisher Rig Single speed which hadn't been off the hook since the last race of 2006. It felt good to be carving the singletrack straddling this trusty steed. This particular bike and I shared several major victories last season and I have a certain respect for this machine, in fact so much that I believe this to be the first time I've ridden it outside of racing since it's been built. Ok a few trail rides around my house to test & tune but never with a group elsewhere.

Mike & Chris gliding down the "Goat Path" @ Kennerdall on their way to Dennison Run. We rode almost 16 miles for the day through all the marshy trails at Kennerdall while searching for Puddleglum the Marsh Wiggle. I've been told he can be found fishing along Dennison Run but instead we found this creature

Yes its a porcupine. Very cool to see something like this. I must add that its not out of the ordinary in this area to spot one. Of all the times I've ridden Kennerdall on more than a few occasions I've gotten the chance to observe these magnificent animals. Again I must add that you ain't gonna see stuff like this sittin on your couch! Get out and see the our wonderful State! But please only observe the wildlife don't bother, tease or disturb them!

We watched the little critter walk around and climb the tree before moving on.

All in all it was a great morning ride with some sun before the rain moved in later in the evening. Good company, wildlife & sweet trails. A successful day, Thanks to God and Country

stork

I Work to Live, Not Live to Work

As Spring arrives my list of things to do multiplies daily. A few major things happening at work have kept me from riding much lately. My neglect at the home front is really starting to show and it became a reality when I came home to find a posting from the local authorities warning of No Trespassing due to unsafe conditions!
Ok I may be exaggerating but really work has me swamped so much that outside of it there isn't much for me to tell. I missed the weekly Thursday morning ride w/Tim Lyons and TJ to attend work & I can't imagine you people wanting to hear about Furnace Burners, K-Column Dampers, Honeywell Controllers, and Thermocouples.
Hopefully I can get some pedalling in before the 2nd Mingo Race on Sunday.
Later, work beckons again!

Stork

Easter Sunday

This begins the story of the Cat & the Duck. Once upon a time (Easter Sunday 2007) I was riding my bike (no surprise) and I came upon a cat & a duck hanging out together near the edge of a pond ( in Rattigan). I slowed down as I heard the duck yelling (more like a quack) at me to be more cautious of the wildlife! At this time I noticed the cat sitting there clearly knowing that he was no match for the Duck so he was looking for something else to hunt as he ignored them. I stopped and watched several other waterfowl meandering around the water at which time I notice this guy walking the waters edge with a white goose following him. I immediately became interested & curious so I watched for awhile. The man was walking and cleaning up around the edge of the pond and the goose followed him everywhere and every so often the man would lean over to somewhat scratch the goose as it honked for his attention. It was cool to watch this and eventually the man made his way to a small shack where he scooped some seed or grain and started spreading it around on the ground. It was a great morning to be riding and one of the first times in more than a week or two that I've ridden back towards Rattigan. I had Easter Duties to tend to so I had to make this a short & sweet ride but I managed to waste more than a few minutes here watching the Ducks feed in the wet grass and pick at there plumage. They are really magnificent creatures and I enjoyed the time watching them. Wel thats it for the Easter Sunday ride, not much to tell but as always enjoyable! It never seems to be a chore to ride and once i'm out with the wheels rolling time just slips away.

stork