Not so much climbing..

I haven't been bouldering as much this past season as I have the past 7 years. In fact that's pretty much all I use to do. I love to climb. It's something I feel I'll always have in me. The motivation you feel from others as they try and push they're limits. The desperation as you try to move off bad holds. The friendships you build with people that you deal with on other levels then "non climber" friends. The close group of friends that call you all the time to climb. This entry is dedicated to my close climbing friends that never fail in they're attempts to get me out and boulder.Sarah Johnson. She's been climbing four years and could tell you more about the history of local areas then most veterans. Her "never tell me I can't do it" attitude is one thing anyone could take note of. Do not attempt to turn the corner and show this girl up, she will embarrass you. Jeff Wales. Hmm. The Southeast's most motivated climber the past how many years in a row? The Southeast's most unsung, unrecognized, mutant high steppin' boulderer. I'd like to tell you to befriend him, but I don't want you in our circle. That's just less time he can give me motivation. Ben Glazner. The first climbing friend I met when I moved to the southeast in 2001. When he arrives to climb, you'll hear him 10 minutes before. Not short on character, Ben will make you laugh so hard you will hurt in places you didn't know existed. In addition, he'll boulder so hard, it will make you ask for his autograph. Thanks to all these friends for they're endless motivation and patience.

Pedal on a Pedestal

So let me fill you in on this one. I play my Rock Band drums hard. I stomp the pedal with authority and smack the drums pads like a rented mule. So it was only a matter of time before I broke my pedal...in half...in two different places. The foot plate and the actual base split in two. What else to do except take it to my local jeep fabrication garage and the rest is history. I've seen other bass pedal mods online but not anything close to this. 20 rivets and sheet metal make this look almost medieval. It works great and takes alot of abuse!

Deerfoot Pkwy. Trails

Trail Carnage

I was riding this weekend with JJ at the local power lines. We were having a great time and I was getting ready to lead us to the next set of trails when I began to step down the double ledges and I heard a "clink" behind us. Cliff, riding shotgun, said "What the hell was that?" I stopped, he got out and looked and it appears as if the smallest leaf spring on the passenger side ejected itself due to a broken tie bolt. The just happens to be the second one I broke in less than two months. The first sign of things seems to be when the smallest leaf begins the rotates around instead of staying in line with the others. I guess this was a clue for me to tighten the u-bolts. Well I got the chance to do that, except now there was a larger gap due to less leafs. I was ready to pull out the Powertank and my impact gun and be done with it. Hmmm I can't find my 3/4" deep socket. I guess I'll have to tighten it by hand. Minus one leaf I tightened the u-bolts and Cliff drove it out as I walked behind and occasionally rode on JJ's bumper to avoid the routine mud hole. All in all in took an hour to fix and get back to the garage.

I thought this was a cool picture.

March 1st 2008 Powerlines Ride