Comments on: RAWROD ’06: Oh, So THAT’S Why They Call it “Endurance” Cycling

By: Azriel

Azriel — Tue, 09 May 2006 15:24:30 +0000

Told you before on "what to take on an epic ride" – Toilet paper.But, how do you go when you realy need to and have no "decent" place?Let’s devide the problem to two parts :1. Biological and easily bio-degradable2. Paper. Degrades only after a decent rain.So, given the moab doesn’t get too much rain, we need to dispose of the evidence in an inviromental-friendly manner. here are a couple of options.So here are the top suggestions of the Israeli – Desert riding jury:1. Hide it under a rock. This way it won’t be an eye-sore.2. Burn the paper, hide the rest under a rock.3. Hide it under a rock, put the paper in a zip-locked plastic bag, and dispose of it when you can.4. Hold it till it comes out of your ears.#3 is the best… just remember not to ask guys to take stuff from your camleback :-) and be very suspicious when helping othersThese methods were devised by the best of the Israeli "commandos", cause we’re used to not having ANY restrooms in the desert. And holding it for 3 days and nights, seems like a not such a good idea :-oCheers,Azriel.

By: Jared

Jared — Wed, 03 May 2006 20:22:52 +0000

A big thanks to Kenny and everyone else who helped organize the ride. Eldon’s summary of the ride was spot on. I could relate to a lot of what he wrote.

My brother and I did the ride for the first time this year. He tuckered out about halfway through — which was probably the smart thing to do. I let pride get in the way of good sense and I finished it — one of the last people to finish, but I finished nonetheless. I’ve never had my body hurt in so many places at once. Now that a few days have passed since the ride, I’m finally warming up to the idea of sitting on a bike seat again. Probably not this week, but sometime soon. It’s amazing how quickly we forget.

By: Unknown

Unknown — Wed, 03 May 2006 19:59:57 +0000

Fatty – fantastic write-up! I love these stories of the epic trail rides from Hell. I am a solid mid-pack guy and at times get suckered into epic torture rides by the faster riders in my circle of friends. My strategy to gauge the reality of what they are selling me is by making sure a slower rider than me, whose done the ride before, is showing up also. Invariably, the slower rider doesn’t show half the time… and then I know my goose is gonna get cooked.

The crazy thing about your RAWROD is that you actually know what pain you’re in for… and you still do it! Good for you!

By: Unknown

Unknown — Wed, 03 May 2006 15:21:20 +0000

Gruff drill sargent ?
OK, hit the deck and give me 20.

By: Unknown

Unknown — Wed, 03 May 2006 03:09:42 +0000

11 circles of hell? Sort of like turning your amp up to 11???

By: Jsun

Jsun — Tue, 02 May 2006 19:05:13 +0000

Fantastic write-up! I liked the pain and agony. You’re right, it makes a much better story and you do it so well. You should have kept your picture out, you’re not fat at all.
And you’re right about the comments page being just as interesting as the blog post. I haven’t got around to posting my ‘blog’ here on the comments page yet, but may do so after our annual RAWR-in-3D. Even though our rule is what happens in WR stays in WR, but with your readership…

How about this long-story-short:
When I was 17, I really liked this girl, enough to go to church with her. So, Sunday morning I pick her up and while driving to Sunday School, a car cuts me off, honks and the people in the back give me a dirty look, so I naturally flip the bird. Our Sunday School teacher turns out to be the other driver. I now save that gesture for only the most deserving of my friends.

By: Tim D

Tim D — Tue, 02 May 2006 18:12:34 +0000

Al, the Il Pompino is great, but I’ve never gone off road on it yet. I like the 130/135mm rear spacing, but the latest frames come with 120mm track spacing. Still at £400 complete, it is an unbeatable deal

Tim

By: Unknown

Unknown — Tue, 02 May 2006 18:07:52 +0000

For once in my life I have avoided the regret that inevitably comes from engaging in an activity that is way above my head at the moment.

Lucky me. I know you would have loved to have me there so that someone else could have suffered more than you. I would like that, too. Just as long as it’s not me.

I feel good that I dodged that bullet.

And I don’t know Mike Young, but I hate him, none the less.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 02 May 2006 16:40:40 +0000

Fat Cyclist,

Thanks for the RAWROD recap. I especially liked the pillow incident conversation. If you were fleeing from a pack of zombies and had to RAWROD again, what bike would you chose: 26" full suspension or 29" hardtail.

I’m wondering if the ability to rode through quicksand is worth taking a beating from miles 65 to 85. Maybe a 29" daully is the way to go.

By: barry1021

barry1021 — Tue, 02 May 2006 16:27:58 +0000

Hey FC, does Mike Young have a blog? I loved his story!!

Whadya mean it was the first time you have flipped someone off as an adult? It sounds like there is a story there, like when you were 13, you were flipping off a friend and a giant condor came by and picked you up by your middle finger and started flying away and you prayed to God that if you lived you would never flip anyone off again, and the condor let go and….well something like that.

Actually I haven’t flipped anyone the bird….today, but then again I didnt drive into work which is usually good for at least one.

RoadRage