Biking

Yes, I love biking. Yes, my bikes have names. No, you may not know why I named them as such. Okay? Good.

Mountain Biking

Off The Kicker

I love riding my mountain bike. I started riding (again) in May of 2007 and have been addicted ever since. Mostly, I ride with my cousin Ryan. We’ve been close for as long as I can remember and good times are never in short supply when we’re together. Because I had a base riding knowledge from riding BMX back in the day, I’ve picked things up fairly quick. Without a doubt, riding is a GREAT outlet for me.

For winter 2008/2009, I converted my bike to a single speed using a chain tensioner. I plan on running single speed throughout the 2009 season to take my conditioning level up a few notches. The drivetrain is 32×22.

My Mountain Bike Setup

  • 2009 Niner EMD 9 (Pedal Damn It!)
  • 2008 Fox F29 Fork (100mm travel)
  • WTB Free Ride Dual Duty 29″ Hoops paired to Hadley SDH TA Hubs laced up with Wheelsmith spokes (black) and alloy nipples (red)
  • Thomson Stem (100mm, 10° rise) and Seatpost (0° setback)
  • Chris King NoThreadSet and Salsa Seat Collar
  • Easton EA50 Hi-Rise Handlebar and Cannondale Grind Grips(black)
  • SRAM PC-1 Chain
  • 2008 Shimano XT Cranks and 2007 Crank Brothers Mallet Pedals
  • Surly Stainless 32t Sprocket and FSA Polycarbonate Bash Ring
  • Avid Juicy Seven Brakes w/ 185mm G2 rotor up front and 160mm G2 rotor out back
  • WTB Rocket V Race Saddle
  • Kenda Nevegal 2.2″ tires
  • Surly Stainless 22t Cog, Rennen Spacer Kit, and Rollenlager Chain Tensioner

Angela's Profile

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="320" caption="The Rollenlager Keeps The Chain Tight"][/caption]

Kenda Nevegals Grip Anything

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="320" caption="3/4 View"][/caption]

Hadley Hubs Provide 72 Points of SERIOUS Engagement

Commuting

I commute on a Giant Defy Alliance 1. It’s much faster (albeit much more complex) than the Redline 925 on which I used to commute. I’ve geared it up to be about as bombproof as possible and enjoy riding it very much. My ride downtown is about 15 miles each way, most days I don’t ride both ways, but on the occasional weekday I do. When I’m not commuting, I take the bike out and ride like a bat out of hell. It doesn’t matter if I’m commuting or just pounding out the miles, I enjoy this bike immensely.