Perfect Snow

It isn't often that you get the opportunity to ride in perfect snow. Last night it snowed 2" +/- and the temperature stayed right around 25deg. Everything was covered in a perfect light and fluffy blanket. Today is a good day.

I stopped to take a picture of old reliable on my way to my meeting. The sun shining into the woods of Sligo Creek Park gave a golden hue to the bark of the trees and the old girl looked in her prime.

Words and Photos By Ray Heinsman

The Mountain Bike

This is my mountain bike. It is a custom bike that has evolved over a period of years. I built it so I could ride one bike that can handle cross country, downhill, jumps, stunts and free-ride. By changing the seat-post height and the fork travel, it can be ridden with a variety of geometries making it a very versatile machine.

In chronological order of purchase:

1999 Brakes: Hayes Hydraulic

2000 Headset: Chris King; Stem: Azonic Shorty

2003 Front Tire: WTB Motoraptor 2.4 Kevlar Bead

2004 Seat: Vetta TT, Seatpost: Thompson, Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR,

2005 Handlebars: Funn; Grips: Salsa Pepperjacks, Pedals, Odessey Zielinski, Frame: Azonic Steelhead, Fork: Fox Talas, Seatpost Clamp: Salsa Fliplock, Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore

2006 Wheels: My custom build with 36 hole Profile hubs, Tioga Factory Rims, and Wheelsmith XL14 spokes and Aluminum Nipples, Cassette: Shimano XT

2007 Cranks: Profile with profile chainrings and a Race Face Rock Guard, Chain: SRAM

2008 Michelin Hot S 2.2 Kevlar Bead

words and photos by Ray Heinsman    

Classic 3 Speed Bikes

My Wife and I ride matching Raleigh Superbe 3 speed bikes.

Mine is a 1971 from England.
Hers is a 1974 made by Raleigh USA as manufacturing moved from England to the US around 1972.

Some unique features these bikes share is the generator front hub, fenders, front and rear lights and frame pumps(although I haven't found a replacement for her missing one yet).

The mens also has a rear spring rack.

These bikes ride superbe. They have a low bottom bracket and their forks have a very shallow steering angle making them feel very stable at high speeds. The rear end is fairly short and the seat angle steeper then the fork giving them some nimble handling.

Enjoy the pics.