Singular Gryphon

I have a new bike.

A 2015 Singular Gryphon.

After years of dealing with a bike that had a number of details that I just didn't like, I decided it was time to build up a proper gravel racer. Something with more tyre clearance, better brakes, lighter wheels, and a better tubeset.

It comes in at about 20% less weight overall than that old bike (and only a bit more than my lightest road bike) with around 2.5 pounds less weight in the wheels and tyres alone, for a total of 24.8lbs.



Build Kit
2015 Singular Gryphon (Size L)
Crankset: Shimano SLX M675 175mm
Chain Rings: Specialties TA 42x28
Cassette: SRAM PG-1070 12-36
Front Derailleur:  Shimano SLX FD-M675-D
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT RD-M772-SGS
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB70
Shifters: Shimano 105 5700
Brakes: TRP Spyre
Brake Rotors: Shimano XTR RT99 160mm
Headset: FSA Orbit MX
Stem: Thomson Elite X4 90mm x 10d
Handlebars: Salsa Cowchipper 42cm
Bartape: Deda (2 layers)
Seatpost: Lynsky Titanium 27.2x 400mm
Saddle: Brooks C-17
Seatpost Clamp: Salsa Lip-Lock
Pedals: Shimano PD-A600
Tyres: Continental Speed King II 2.2
Rims: Velocity Blunt SS
Spokes: Sapim Race 2.0-1.8-2.0
Hubs: DT Swiss 350 Centre Lock
Nipples: Sapim Brass

This awesome headbadge was missing when the frame came in, but Sam at Singular hooked me up

Conti Speed King 2.2 Designed for the Olympics to be the fastest mtb tyre known to man.

Clearance for 3" tyres.

SLX crankset with Specialties TA 42/28 chainrings

Shimano XT derailleur shifting SRAM 1091 chain across SRAM 1070 12-36T cassette

Brooks Cambium on Lynskey Titanium seatpost

I'm super stoked to get out and ride and race this.

Medora GAR

This weekend was my umteenth attempt at putting on a Gravel Adventure Ride out of Medora, Indiana. Every other attempt has either been flooded or iced out. Finally got one in!

I'm never quite sure how many people I may have for one of my rides. I've had a dozen and I've had none. Driving over an hour and a half to find out is always interesting. This week we totaled 5, a turnout I'm really happy with.

The Spark Ferry Bridge (1890)

One of the main reasons for wanting to explore the area is a number of threatened old bridges.

Fort Ritner Bridge (1895)

Also, It's a beautiful area and the fall colours are spectacular now.

Guthrie Creek Bridge (1897)

S24O

S240 in bike parlance means Sub-24hour-Overnight

Ride-Camp-Ride Home in less than 24 hours. A single night with decent odds the weather prediction will be correct.

This gives a good chance to test gear in controlled environment and to practice skills.

I do this several times a year with some friends.

A rainy evening with a low of 48 gave me a good chance to test the limits of my Enlightened Equipment Prodigy backpacking quilt. A 50F rating on a sub 1 pound synthetic quilt. A minor mistake dampened the socks in my campwear bag, leaving my feet cold all night, but otherwise the quilt was adequately warm, though I wouldn't try it in any cooler weather, and will likely opt to bring a slightly warmer baselayer to sleep in for similarly rainy conditions near this limit. I plan this Fall to pick up one of their warmer down quilts.

The evening also gave me a chance to test out my Swedish Hand Axe, a Hultafors, while practicing my one stick fire technique. For such a small, pocketable axe, it really does some work. I got to work getting the fire started while my friends worked on getting their tents up. By the time their tents were assembled and staked out, I had processed a piece of firewood into shavings, matchstick, and chopstick sized pieces and had the fire started with a single flick of the lighter.

Sub 24 hours, 2 pieces of gear tested, and a skill practiced, all while getting in a nice bike ride, a night outdoors, and hanging with friends. A evening well spent.

Box of Frogs

Random shots from June's Box of Frogs in St. Paul, MN

Touring notes

Things to work on for next tour (pics from current tour may or may not ever exist)

-figure out a way to keep sets of batteries marked together and whether charged or discharged
-more dry bags to keep dry/wet items seperate and organized.
-take an AC charger just in case you happen across AC

Things that worked really well.

-using Ixon IQ and Ride&Charge to keep AAs for phone and GPS charged.
-TarpTent Contrail (some minor condensation issues, but considering the rain and warm mugginess, a little condensation is unavoidable)
-Enlightened Equipment Prodigy 50F quilt. Never have I slept in a tent with sleeping bag in warm muggy weather and not felt like I was sticking to the bag...until now.
-Bedrock Bags, um, bags. Solid, stable, roomy, waterproof. and they look great. what else do I want?
-Carradice SQR Slim saddlebag. Still awesome. Was actually mostly empty days 2 and 3, as I carried beer day 1, and after that it just had the empty 6pk cooler and a pair of FiveFingers. For a more hardcore trip, most of the weight in my Camelbak would move there instead of on my back.

Back to Marengo

A bit short of 2 years ago myself, David, Tim, and Patrick did a route out of Marengo thru English. Tim, David and I were joined by Jeff this weekend for another go...and I took zero pictures.





I was riding the acclaimed Clement X'Plor MSO 40mm tyres. They sucked. Video below.

ReBoot

After a fun and calorific Derby and birthday season, my weight is up to levels not seen in 4 years and my fitness is in the cellar. Time to take my health seriously.

The slipped cervical disc I suffered last year seems to be as good as it's gonna get, meaning mostly pain free, but I still have serious strength issues in my right arm, as well as some rotational limits in the shoulder. I'm hopeful some strength training will help that out. There's not enough strength for most body weight exercises, so I'm looking into dumbbell routines.

As far as weight, diet and cardio. The goal is to cycle 3-4 days a week and get in 2-3 5k or longer runs (mostly treadmill). The diet, is mostly paleo again. Trying to keep carbs under 75grams/day and no idea how to make this happen without protein shakes, but 1g/lb of lean body weight in protein. Alcohol? Dry white wine has less carbs than even the lowest carb beer, whiskey less than either. Cheat Days? Tuesday Night with the guys for beer.

If anyone wants to know what my new Go-To Snack Food is: Pumpkin Seeds. Lower in fat and carbs than peanuts, and higher in protein. Also scores pretty well on the Omega 3s.