Cross National's Carpool
Lets get this stuff going. So I here we have a trailer to haul all the bikes in. That would be great. If not lets get finding something else we can do. It would be cool if we could all ride in 1 or 2 cars. Looks like we have 7 people planning on going. It might be 8 if Brad gets to come along. I have talked to Eric and he said the big green van could go and take everybody. Or if we want to have 4 week drive incase of bad weather we will need to look for a couple of vehicles to drive. Anyways:
When do we want to Leave?
What car are we going to take?
I guess that is about it.
Big Van
I'd say everyone in one rig, The Reel Theatre's van, pulling Steve's trailer. Depart as soon as possible in early afternoon... like 1ish?
One rig, leaving early afternoon Thursday.
It might not be a bad idea to have a meeting with everyone going to Bend to make sure we are all on the same page. My thoughts are these:
First: I say we take the big van.
second: Let's pull the trailer (it's 12x7 feet) to protect bikes as much as possible. We can take a smaller bike rack for convenience once we get there.
Third: Steve and I have been talking about the best way to set the trailer up for the bikes. The BIRDS have a similar trailer that they have mounted fork mounts to that keeps bikes really secure. I propose that we help off-set some of the cost by pitching in on the cost of the mounts. Steve has generously offered to let any of us use the trailer when we want.
Fourth: I would like to leave early afternoon on the 10th. I could be ready to roll out by 1:45-2:00.
Fifth: Let the good times roll!!!
Trailer parts
I talked to Paul at Meridian Cycles about those bolt on qr mounts we will need. He is going to order some in so we buy them all from him. If we want I can pick them all up and then let everyone know the cost. He said they would be around 10 dollars a piece. Or if peopl want they can go pick themm up themselves. Let me know.
Also I can leave whenever on Thursday.
$10 sounds sweet
That is a great deal on those. Is everyone that is racing in Bend willing to pay for one fork mount bracket?
Sure thing!
I'm on board.
book it
send me a bill... I'm in for $10.
But I'm going to need a little plaque secured under mine kinda like permanent season tickets. ;) heh
the trailer and nationals
After looking at Bobby Peterson's trailer, I decided to get a bid to know how much it would cost to set up my trailer like his to haul bikes. Bobby's configuration allows greater versatility when hauling bikes and when hauling other items. The configuration used in Bobby's trailer requires the seat to be removed. I figure we can mark our bikes with some painter's tape so we'll know where to position our seats when preparing for the race. I'll let you know which way I decide to go. I plan on having any modifications done to the trailer in time for Nationals. I'll keep you posted.
Steve Olsen
AWESOME!
Only thing I'm wondering is if the road handle bars and shifters will fit on those hooks he uses...
road handle bars and shifters
Yes, I believe they will. Bobby brought his cross bike into his trailer and hung it on the hooks. So I know that the bars fit comfortably in the hooks. Further, once he adjusted his handle bars so that they were at an angle similar to our bikes, nothing on the bars touched the trailer. Bobby keeps his bars at an angle that allows him to ride in a much more upright position. I suggest we bring the bikes over a little before the departure date so that we can be certain everything will work. Probably the only name plaques we'll have will be names written on masking tape!
Steve
Bike Trailer is ready
Dear National Cyclocrossers:
The bicycle trailer is ready! It is set up similar to Bobby Peterson's trailer. Although we didn't purchase the bicycle hardware from Meridian Cycle (I told Paul what was going on and he was okay with it), I would still propose a $10 one time contribution from those going to nationals to help defray the costs of retro-fitting the trailer for the bikes. Hope you all don't mind me making this suggested contribution. We will be able to use this trailer for future events.
Eric, I am told we will be using your van for the trip. Please give me a call at 866-9214 so we can figure out if your van wiring fits the trailer. I am checking with my insurance company to make sure there is insurance coverage if your van pulls my trailer. Are we just taking your van? There will be plenty of room to put more than just the bikes in the trailer.
I also suggest everyone brings their bikes over the night before to load them up. Are we leaving at 1:00 or 2:00 and from whose house. One suggestion: We leave from my house at whatever time is decided because most of us live in this area and could simply walk over with their bags. I am open to whatever works the best.
Did everyone see that temperatures are expected to be 15 to 20 degrees colder than normal?!
Steve
Burrr
Awesome news Steve! Thanks for getting it all rigged up and rockin. I think $10 contribution is more than fair.
I left you a vm and and email on the trailer Steve. Just shoot me a note back with the info.
Probably a good idea on the bikes to make sure we're set. I'll plan on a Wed night delivery. I think we need to leave at 2pm in talking with some people. Let's plan on actual departure as close to that time as we can and from Steve's house as suggested.
Man... we're going to freeze! :) It's been snowing over there all day too according to some facebook posts I saw. Weeeee...
The trailer
Eric:
Thanks for the vm. The trailer plug has six slots. It sounds like you are set up for that. Let me know.
Steve
Sounds good...
You're talking about a round plug that's little over an 1" in diameter with 6 round pin holes in it, correct? Pretty sure the van's is the larger 2" diameter, 7 blade (counting the center) version... but I've got a reducing adapter so we're rockin.
Also, a 2" ball for the hitch, right?
I may ask my mom if I can borrow her Excursion to use instead of the van with all this snow. I'd much rather have a 4x4 if the roads are going to be snowy at all... and the way things are going now out there it's pointing that way!
the trailer lights and insurance on bikes
Eric and fellow potential national cyclocross national champions (pncncs) :
Actually the trailer has "blades" not a pin plug. I thought there were only 6 slots for blades but will check on this and get back to you. I also believe the plug is more like 2 inches not 1 inch in diameter.
Also, as I thought was the case, my insurance agent has informed me that my car insurance continues to cover the trailer even if your car is pulling it. The contents of the trailer are not covered by my insurance and would only be covered through homeowner's insurance. This information is probably overkill, but I just passing it along . . . .
The Excursion sounds like a GREAT idea. I'll let you know about the plug.
Steve
Don't forget your swimsuits
Remember surfs up in central Oregon.
Wowzah
Just saw this posted to the Cross Nat's facebook page... picture is a bit small and blown up, but you can see them snowblowing the course. Looks deep and COLD!
"A big thank you to everyone working on the course today! It's currently 9∘"
More pics of the course...
Here's a bunch of photos of the course as of yesterday.
http://dirtsurfdavid.blogspot.com/2009/12/bend-nationals-course-as-of-12...
Looks epic!
Maybe I'll bring my mountain bike with the studded tires!
Cold
Looks cold to me.
Burrrr
I checked weather.com the other day and it said Bend was 7degrees, feels like -8 degrees. I sure am glad I have my new fancy winter riding shoes:) By the way, I received a call today from Sunriver Vacation Resort (the place we are staying) and they said the house we are staying in had all the pipes freeze up. They are upgrading us (although the sleeping arrangement is not quite as ideal) to a nicer home free of charge. Just another indication of how cold it has been. It does look to warm up considerably by the weekend. Just one more great memory for our biking crew to look back on.