Chain-Lube Creeping Toward $10,000 A Barrel
May 14, 2008 on 4:43 pm | In Mountain Bike Racing | No CommentsAren’t you glad you’re not haunted by these painful errant cycling thoughts all day?
Well, the bottle of Finish Line in my backpack has a price tag that says $6.99, or roughly 7 bucks for a 120ml bottle of Finish Line lube. According to one of the ka-gillion website calculators out there, there’s 42 gallons or roughly 159 liters in a barrel.
My crain is brampin’ right now. Okay. Focus. Focus. How much would a barrel of Finish Line cost? (picture a hamster running on a squeaky drum-treadmill between my ears)
At the rate of $7 for 120ml Finish Line, you’d pay $58.33 for a liter of Finish Line. If Finish Line were available by the barrel, 159 liters, you would pay $9274.47for a barrel-full of slippery happy bike goodness. Holy crapoli!
Oh you want gallons? You are so not Euro. Send back that Quick Step team kit right now! For the metric system snubbing general public, Finish Line chain-lube costs $224/gallon.
($224 per Gallon)
Sorry…didn’t mean to make you paranoid about the drops you left on the garage floor. Cuz, foodreference.com says there are 46080 drops in a gallon.
Didn’t think I’d take it this far did you?
At the rate of $224/gallon, every drop of finish line you accidentally drip on the garage floor costs you .00486 dollars. Pretty much, every two missed drips, is a penny (bloop) down the drain.
So, how much does it cost to lube your bike’s chain? This is maddening I know. But, I can’t stop. I must see this to the end.
There are 116 links in an uncut 2006 Dura Ace 7800 Chain (according to Shimano’s website), A drop of Finish Line costs .00486 dollars. So, it costs 56 cents worth of Finish Line to lube an entire chain.
But, most chains are cut down a few links you say. I say, I’ll leave it up to you to count the friggin’ links in your chain without losing your place and your mind. I may be going overboard, but I’m not goin’ to the bottom. Roughly, on the typical fully geared road or mountain bike, you could say it costs 50 cents to lube your chain with Finish Line.
So the next time your forgetful cycling buddy asks, “do you have any chainlube?” What will you say?
I say…what goes around comes around. I’ll gladly share my Finish Line, but you’ll have to wait for me to get it out of my safe deposit box.
This is a republish from the Joe Biker Blog on AOL. For more click here: http://journals.aol.com/joejoebiker/joebiker/
Off Road Assault on Mt Mitchell is 7/27/08
May 9, 2008 on 3:47 pm | In Mountain Bike Racing | No CommentsBioWheels is proud to be support ( and rock! ) the 2008 ORAMM.
Registration is open here.
You may have luck with this website, as well, www.blueridgeadventures.net
Here is the flier- 2008 Off Road Assault on Mt Mitchell Flier
Some archives from ORAMM all over this site. Start here for 06 article, and here for a 2007 entry from Laurie Neubert.
See ya’ll there, we’re bringing the beer!
A blast of speed from the past… the return of “the Badger!”
May 5, 2008 on 3:09 pm | In Mountain Bike Racing | No CommentsBioWheels racer Kevin Caldwell aka “the Badger”, returns to the heat of battle after 6 years of retirement, calls Louisville, KY home, and takes victory at Younger’s Creek, KYMBA race #2.
Kevin was one of the original “OG’s” on the BioWheels Racing team back in the day. It was circa 1994, when BioWheels Workshop was starting it’s ascent to becoming one of the nation’s finest bike shops. Nestled in the Ludlow Garage in the heart of Clifton, Cincinnati, OH, sporting a full half pipe for bike display and for after hour fun
festivities, BioWheels was just getting its feet wet in the bicycle industry. Right from the get-go BioWheels understood the importance of community outreach and bicycle advocacy. I’ll never forget the pain we endure at our first big event, the 1995 24 Hours of Canaan. Look at the hoodlems in this shot. I am the clean-cut guy on the right in this picture.
What continues to draw me near BioWheels is the heart of BioWheels philosophy. It is not to not keep the secrets of bicycle maintenance and training away from their customers, but to interact with them and allow them to be involved at any level they so choose. The days of the wizard behind the curtain wrenching mysteriously on your bike were over with the creation of BioWheels.
Kevin returns to racing and to the BioWheels team after 6 yrs of hiatus. Kevin and his wife Nicole are proud parents of 4 children. Kaija age 8, Malaki age 6, Karyss age 4, and the newest addition at 18 months Azaryah. Kevin works at Humana Inc. as a Provider Relations Consultant and he also runs an online sports nutrition business with his wife Nicole. Kevin and his family reside in the promise land of Louisville, Kentucky.
Kevin and his family call Louisville home and the “promise land” why one might ask? Continue reading A blast of speed from the past… the return of “the Badger!”…
2008 CORA Cincinnati MTB Series
February 29, 2008 on 5:46 pm | In Mountain Bike Racing | 1 Comment
2008 CORA Series
June 15 - Kentucky Series - England/Idlewild Park
June 22 - Kentucky Series Invitational - Cherokee Park Louisville
June 29 - Ohio Mountain Biking Championships #5 - East Fork State Park
August 24 - Ohio Mountain Biking Championships #9 - Caesars Creek State Park
Date TBD - Harbin Park Time Trial #1
Date TBD - Harbin Park Time Trial Finale
Capitalizing on the strength of the KYMBA series and OMBC series, the six race-best of four 2008 CORA series is the most promising local series Cincinnati has seen in years. Cincinnati finally has a local mountain bike series that will definitely draw the best regional and local talent, provide a great experience for newbies, great courses, and good prizes. BioWheels racer Chad Irey (pictured), self proclaimed series head cheese, was instrumental in pulling the events together.
Cincinnati is blessed and cursed to be central to Dayton, Columbus, Lexington, Louisville, Indianapolis and Charleston. The blessing is that we’re so close to so many cities, talented cyclists and big races. The curse is that, in the past, local racers spread themselves thin between all the great events. So, instead of competing with the OMBC, Harbin Park TT and KYMBA series, the 2008 CORA series is part of the regional scene. Brilliant!
It’s been a few years since a local series was able to draw a large talented pool of riders. A few years ago, I remember being happy to finish top ten…in my age group. Last year, you’d be lucky to have ten people in your race, make that three for women. Hopefully those kinds of deep fields will return to Cincinnati. With the promotional arms of the OMBC and KYMBA behind it, every category in the 2008 CORA series should have strong deep competitive fields from beginner on up to semi-pro. And, since the races are part of the other series, all the local riders should be at the local events. Better yet, the events actually take place in summer, so the trails should be in good shape. Add to that some great prizes and a festive atmosphere; we’re bound to have a great time.
Five of the races take place on arguably the best trails in our backyard: Caesars, East Fork, Harbin and EI. No doubt, whoever comes out on top will be king and queen of the Nati. Seeing that two of the events are Thursday night time trials at Harbin bodes pretty well for a Cincinnati resident to be on top of the podium at the end of the season. It could be you.
Stay tuned for a flyer, registration and rundown of how the points system will work.
Joe Bellante
BioWheels Racing
For more blog fun from Joe visit:
http://journals.aol.com/joejoebiker/joebiker/
2008 Icycle @ Fontana Village
February 12, 2008 on 10:21 pm | In Mountain Bike Racing | No Comments
BioWheels Racing-Asheville is Ready for 2008
January 31, 2008 on 11:31 pm | In Road Racing, Mountain Bike Racing | No Comments
BioWheels Racing is entering our 14th year of competition. Our annual team meeting was ripe with positive energy. We are a dynamic group of cyclists, all understanding the value of community. We have 12 officers with roles from ride leaders, to media relations, to trail advocates.
Race fans will see our familiar jersey in Category 2, 3 & 4 Road events. Our road team manager, Andy Pooser (past ABRC Pres.), joined BioWheels because BioWheels “…is the best shop in town, and really understands what athletes need.” Andy has 11 roadies under his wing.
BioWheels Racing is historically one the best organized mountain bike teams in the Eastern US. This year is no exception. We have 8 Expert & Semi-Pro level riders, and about 2 dozen sport level & endurance athletes. Our colors will fly in downhill, cross country & through numerous endurance events. Captained by Matt Johnson, the mountain squad will attend races all over the Southeast. Making it all possible, the sponsors of BioWheels are back for their 4th consecutive seasons.
Deltec Homes builds fully green homes, using 98% domestic materials, and creating less than 2% waste. “We believe in supporting BioWheels’ efforts in Asheville. Not only does BioWheels embody our core values of eco-consciousness, but they also understand that mental & physical wellness are just as important to our community as healthy & efficient structures are to the planet” comments Joe Schlenk, Deltec’s Sales Manager. In 2008 BioWheels and Deltec Homes are teaming up to bring you “Wheel Ride for Food” & “Hot Doggett 100″.
Dr. Dru Aguilar has been a primary caregiver for many of our racers, including both owners of BioWheels. “Without Dru, I would not be able to function. He’s kept me away from the surgeons on at least 2 occasions” claims Matt J. Dr. Dru states “I support BioWheels mostly because of my own sports background, and this is a way for me to give back for those chiropractors who kept me playing at a high level. Though I played rugby football for nine years, representing Michigan and the mid-Western USA for a couple of years, I always have enjoyed being on the bike. There is nothing like the feeling of the wind blowing in your face as you descend down a mountain slope at breakneck speed (chiropractic joke). I started to bike a bit more seriously mostly to cross train for other sports before picking up triathlon in 1983. Since then I’ve competed in more than 100 events—almost all of it recreationally.”
“I raced the road bike for a year in college and during that time I only completed one race. I gave up wheels, bikes, or myself to put teammates in a better position for the podium (OK, I sucked). As a chiropractor I have still been able to contribute to get cyclists on the podium. Receiving a chiropractic adjustment helps a cyclist by removing nerve interference, restoring full motion, and giving muscles the chance to perform at optimal potential. Lance traveled with a team chiropractor for all seven of his Tour de France wins. Why? Because it works. When you’re ready to get the competitive edge, give me a call and I’ll do all we can to make your body perform at its best.” -Dr. Dru
BioWheels is very proud to have support from the French Broad Brewing Company. Located on Fairview Road just outside of Biltmore Village, FRBC specializes in Old World Ales. Matt Barnao, Sales Manager says, “We think BioWheels has all the makings of a world-class organization. You do what you say you are going to do, and you go the extra mile. Your racers are extremely pleasant & we’re proud to have our brand on your backs, and our beer in your bellies (after the race-of course)”.
The latest addition to our uniform is our web guys. Asheville-based FastPivot (formerly YDesigns) is a group of super sharp marketing & web folks who have an enormous list of clients. “BioWheels is by far the most challenging and coolest on our client list. The innovations demanded by BioWheels have pushed us hard.” exclaimed CEO Matt Ledford.
2008 is going to be a great Cycling Season!
Save the dates: BioWheels Cincinnati Racing Announces 3 Events for 2008
January 3, 2008 on 5:26 pm | In Mountain Bike Racing | No Comments
Building on the momentum of previous years, BioWheels Racing continues the tradition of bringing high-level racing to Cincinnati with three events scheduled for 2008.
June 29, 2008 - OMBC Series Race #5 - East Fork State Park
August 24, 2008 - OMBC Series Race #9 - Caesar’s Creek State Park
October 12, 2008 - BioWheels/UDF Harbin Park UCI Cyclo-Cross
The BioWheels Racing Team brings 14 years of racing experience to the table in producing the area’s best known off-road events, and local businesses United Dairy Farmers, Reece-Campbell Construction, Legacy Stoneworks, and MSA Architects brings the backing to help put these Cincinnati races on the national map. More to come soon, but mark your training calendars - these will be ‘do not miss’ events we promise!
Red Bull, Mud and Montezuma’s Revenge - one story of La Ruta
November 28, 2007 on 6:39 pm | In Mountain Bike Racing | No Comments
As I reflected on the week long trip to Costa Rica during the final flight in to Columbus, I was quite surprised, even amazed how well everything had worked out. I would certainly have expected at least one or two major glitches, with a minor catastrophe thrown in to mix it up. However, the trip had gone almost too easily. That was until I could no longer ignore the grumblings, cramps and pains coming from my abdomen, followed by the first of many trips to the bathroom in the rear of the plane, but more on that later.
This year marked the 15th anniversary of La Ruta de los Conquistadores, a now legendary mountain bike race that traces the route of the conquistadors across Costa Rica from the Pacific to the Caribbean Ocean. La Ruta is widely known as the toughest mountain bike race in the world, and this year was the first year it would be a 4 day race instead of 3. The extra day was an additional stage, not just the original distance now spread over 4 days. The additional stage ended up being the 2nd hardest day.
2007 Swank 65 Mountain Bike Race
November 12, 2007 on 2:07 am | In Mountain Bike Racing | No Comments
145 late season mtn bike junkies staged at the 9th Annual Swank 65 Mountain Bike Journey on November 11th, 2007. In the mix, 9 BioWheels racers took on the amazing 40 mile course. The racers crunched through the leaves for the majority of the day on some of Pisgah’s most scenic trails. From Cove Creek campground, we went up daniel connector, down & across to Long Branch, thorough Gloucester Gap once, around the back of Pilot Mountain on Kissee Creek Trail, returned back to Gloucester, then way up to Farlow Gap. The gloves came off on the descent where downhill skills can cut save an hour. Down to Daniel Ridge’s rocky descent to the Davidson River Trail, up 475-B, then a raging finish down Caney Bottom Trail to the finish. The crisp autumn day gave way to a cool evening and some tasty ales. Todd offered out great prizes, way deep into the field. Awesome post race party with burgers for all. BWR’s Johnson & Irey battled between 3rd & 10th during the entire race, with Johnson climbing into 4th at the finish. Irey rolled in 7th place, Poss in 12th and the bulk of the BWR team finishing way up in the top 25% of the field. All of the 100-ish finishers had nothing but respect for the course and wide smiles (of pain).
We’ll have results up soon. For now enjoy some video and pics from Kris Kjellquist (one the days volunteers);
Looking down the barrel of a gun…
November 5, 2007 on 2:08 am | In Mountain Bike Racing | No Comments….OK, maybe a tad dramatic on the title, but I did recently discover the best trail riding album of all time!
On Saturday, November 27th two BioWheels racers, Jeremy Hargroves & Kris Kjellquist, took on the 9th annual 12 Hours of the Hill of Truth in Oak Ridge, TN. Jeremy had gone out Friday night and secured the best camping/pit area on the course so we were in good shape from the start. The Kjellquist clan arrived early Saturday morning, popped up the BioWheels tent, and assembled the compound. Thankfully we wouldn’t need the work stand or tools all day and night!
The race started of with the firing of a cannon and a big paved road mass start. Being solo riders Jeremy and I both were not overly concerned with sprinting from the start. We both settled in to a good pace for the first three or four laps.
Jeremy’s main challenge for the win broke his frame on the first lap, so Jeremy was off to an early big lead. Unfortunately, this guy battled back, whittled away the lead for lap after lap, and would eventually take first and the solo victory. Jeremy kicked some serious butt and worked hard for 13 laps in a bit over 12 hrs!
I busted out some fast early laps, settled into a mid race pace, and eventually found out I was in 6th! I came into the race hoping for a top ten, but somehow thinking at a small race a top 5 finish might happen. Knowing I was in the hunt I stepped up the pace thanks to my iPod and The Beastie Boys’ ‘Paul’s Boutique’…..the greatest trail album of all time! Anyway, after 10 laps my wife & support, Ariane, informed me I was in 6th, but 5th was only 1 minute ahead! I dropped the iPod, hammered like it was Lap 1 and caught 5th at the top of a small climb. I finished the lap & prayed my nemesis wouldn’t go out for a 12th lap. He didn’t! I bit later I checked the results and found I had taken 4th!
My daughter Greta also raced in the ‘12 Minutes of the Hill of Truth’. Greta did two laps of single track on her Skuut bike, and won a pint glass for her efforts! Only milk or juice in that glass of course. She would also later entertain the campground in her Winnie the Pooh costume!
All in all, a great day for BioWheels who took 2nd and 4th, but more importantly had a ton of fun!
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