Cold-Tested Grease for Rear Hubs

I just had my Mukluk built up with ultra-fancy-blingy Six 1 Six hubs, made in Grand Rapids, MI. They come packed with 'Morningstar Soup,' rated from -50 to 140 F. Herein lies the problem.

(Winterizing is putting very little extremely thin grease/almost no grease at all on the pawls in the rear hub so they engage at 0F & colder. If hubs are packed, per se, with any grease, the extreme cold causes the grease to gum up, which prevents the pawls from engaging.)

I left my bike in the back of my van during the day, while parked at work. When I got it out to show a co-worker at the end of the day, the rear hub didn't engage - it slipped many times - meaning the pawls didn't catch, i.e., the grease used to 'winterize' the hub doesn't work/there was too much grease in the rear hub. It was -15F, not -50F.
I went straight to the LBS to find a friend who built a set of fat wheels with the other set of hubs that came and he had the same problem - lots of slipping and failing to engage.
After this, I went on two different -5 to +5 F rides and had my rear hub fail to engage, continually, many times on each ride. 

As it turns out, Six 1 Six simply injects their hubs with the Morningstar Soup, inundating the hub with it and forcing out all the normal grease. This means the hubs are literally full of grease, and, therefore, will not work in the cold. Even though the lube is rated to -50F, there is way too much in there and it needs to be removed, leaving a very thin film of grease.

I've heard a lot of contradicting stories this past week about Six 1 Six, Soup, and both's effectiveness/quality.
All I can say is shops in Anchorage stopped using Soup and there are internet stories of Six 1 Six hubs 'shitting the bed shortly' after being built, but one extremely accomplished rider has used Soup on at least 6 ITIs down to -60F and Lubriplate Mag-1 grease has been proven to work for over a decade in the coldest temperatures.

My hubs are now sporting a thin film of Mag-1, winterized by hand, not by a syringe.

Make your own judgements and 'wear some comfy walking shoes.'

30 Below Fatbike Camping: A System Test

I packed up the bike with sleeping bag & pad, since I hadn't slept outside in... I can't remember, which made me sad. It was -15F when I left my cabin, so I brought my -20F bag, as it was snowing and clouded over, which should have meant that it was to get warmer over the course of the night. Well, I woke up after 9.5 hours of sleep to clear skies and at least -25F. (This was the temperature at my cabin when I returned, which is warmer than the area I slept.)
The big spruce tree down by the creek has kept good shelter over me from the night's snowfall, but I had begun to feel the clearing skies and falling temps. I packed up the bag & pad and got rolling on the creek with completely numb fingers. I didn't try to solve the problem because, fortunately, my cabin was not far ahead.
A great night of sleep, outside, breathing fresh air, by myself, under a big spruce tree next to a snow-covered creek... with my fatbike.

What I learned:
1. A tent isn't necessary for camping in winter, in most places. There's almost always a place to tuck your bag into that provides some sort of shelter from either wind and/or falling snow, of which the latter is less of a problem than the former, as it's usually cold enough to stay frozen and not make you wet. Although, tents do hold in heat, resulting in a warmer environment to sleep in, keep the snow out, stop the wind, and provide peace of mind for some people while sleeping out in the dark & scary woods. They take time to set-up and take up space on the bike, as well as add weight. A tent might not be necessary, but it's probably worth the weight if you want to truly camp and not just get a little shut-eye for a few hours.

2. I need a better winter sleeping pad. While I didn't feel the cold, frozen ground, I did feel the hard, frozen ground. There is not enough padding in those two thin, foam pads rolled up under the handlebars. I like to sleep on my side and this made for a pretty uncomfortable rest. Plus, when I rolled them up in the morning, I found I had melted the snow down to the ground. More comfort and a bit more insulation are needed.

3. I need warmer boots; these, specifically. My Keen Summit County boots are great for day rides and down to about -20F for a while, but they're not warm enough for camping at -30F. Sure, vapor-barrier socks (1 gal Ziploc freezer bag) work well, but I don't want to mess with them for short rides.

4. I had the big dry sack that holds my sleeping bag strapped down pretty well under the seat, such that it's a real pain to remove. I was able to get it on the bike real tightly in my warm cabin, but knew that it could be a problem in the cold, dark morning. Yep, it was. Stuffing my sleeping bag back in that bag at 30 below while it was strapped to the bike is too challenging. I'm putting the rack back on so I can stuff the bag on the ground, then simply strap the bag to the rack. Much easier and worth the weight of the rack, as things need to be as simple as possible in these temps.

5. I need to find a way to have warm hands when the inside of the poagies are -30F at the start of a ride, i.e., in the morning after camping out. Maybe handwarmers? But both times I've tried them, they've failed; duds. I've lost faith in them and don't want to rely on something working, then get myself in hard times when they don't. Problem being, hands don't produce much heat, so it takes forever (impossible?) to warm up poagies when they're -30F inside. More research & testing needed.

6. For more than one night in temps around zero or below, vapor-barrier clothing for sleeping is a must. My bag was soaking wet when I pulled it out of the stuff sack, after getting back to my cabin. I can't imagine it would keep me warm on a second night in those temps. I figured this would be the case, but wanted to test it to know for sure. Maybe just wear the VBL clothing while riding then get in the bag? And then straight out in the morning? Again, more testing needed.

7. If you sleep next to a tree, it makes for a nice solid object for pushing your foot into cold, hard boots in the morning :)

I'm getting better at typing

I've been doing a lot of writing, lately, and I'm not even in school. My fingers are starting to hurt, a little, as sad as that sounds.
It reminds me of when the old woman is complaining about her fingers hurting from sewing in Happy Gilmore.
Good thing Happy's Granny didn't speak up.

Earlier this week, we went live with Far North Fatbikes' inaugural edition of The Fat & Happy Newsletter.
Then, Fat-Bike.com asked to do a business profile of Far North Fatbikes on their website.
Fresh off the press is my first article as an author on Fat-Bike.com, discussing the new Surly Nate fat tire.
Along with all this was a whole slough of e-mail conversations in the business inbox, which was possibly the most writing.

Watch for upcoming newsletters, which you can find on our website here, and future articles on www.fat-bike.com.
For now, I think I'll focus on working my legs with hill climbs on the fatbike.
But that might make my back hurt :)

Multi-Sport, Multi-Style.

Normally, my basepack weight of gear for hiking is 12 lbs (everything, including what I wear in clothes, except food & fuel).
In Alaska, that's really light. If I'm packrafting, tack on another 7 or 8. But, apparently, if I'm riding a fatbike into a cabin beside a glacier in Wrangell-St Elias National Park for 4 days, my basepack weight is 43 lbs, not including the 30 lb bike. When there's 43 lbs on a 30 lb bike, I have to man-handle it all to even keep it upright. But, that also means once I have it moving, it wants to keep moving!

The 43 lbs of fun & comfort includes:
-18 lbs in stuff to be comfortable at a backcountry cabin in huge mountains for 3 days & nights
-20 in all the gear needed to go ice climbing on the face of the Kuskulana Glacier for a day
-stuff for biking it all in & out a total of 30 miles
-photographing the whole experience with my heavy DSLR
-and enjoying a little top-shelf Irish whiskey beside a campfire or wood stove
but I guess that last part falls under being 'comfortable at a backcountry cabin.'
Maybe, too, the 12 lbs of food for my dog & I.

It's quite the change of pace from my recent adventures in the Alaska Range & White Mountains, as this trip should have lots of relaxing, wood stove heat, campfires, big mountain & glacier views, old mining ruins, bears, glacial ice climbing (testing out new tools!), changing fall colors, and frost, plus one of my dogs is coming and, of course, the always present quality time with friends.
I'm looking forward to the change of pace & style of adventure. I think it goes well with the rapidly changing season.
Winter is almost here!

A few more bike pics

The custom-drilled FlatTop 100 wheels, weighing about 840g/30oz each (300g/10.75oz removed from stock weight):

Making an OR drysack work as a seat bag:
Before filling, take the handle strap on the bottom of the bag and slip it over and around the seat, onto the seatpost. Put two of the four compression straps through the seat rails and then cinch all four down. Attach a ski strap around the rails and bag to hold the bag up to the post and seat. Bag is still accessible due to the opening being a separate closure and not a part of the cinch straps.

Frustrations, Dumb People, & the Norwalk

So, I've got this bike... an old-school Trek 2000 road bike, probably older than I am from my buddy, for free. He had it sitting around for a good 5 years plus, so it wasn't in tip-top shape, but not a big deal, as I was just interested in getting a commuter bike, since I've made my 29er a single-speed, which is way too slow to ride 11 miles to work, each way. I'm rambling for the reason I'll get to in a minute...
It needed new tubes, tires, shifter cables, seat, and a rear wheel. I was up for the project.
I brought it in to Beaver Sports and bought tubes, then brought them home and tried to put them on. I got the rear tube on, since I was using the stock wheel off my 29er (which didn't exactly fit due to axle width, but I made it work), so the rear tube went on fine. The front wheel, which came with the bike and is supposedly a 'really nice Mavic wheel' was giving me serious issues with getting the tire off. After about a half hour, I gave up. Another day of not being able to bike commute to work. It was really getting under my skin.
The next day, I brought the bike in to Beaver to get tires because I noticed they were very badly dry-rotten. So, I had them install a $120 pair of tires, supposedly the most punture-proof, lightweight, foldable tires you can buy. I sat around for over two hours waiting for them to get the tires and tubes on... finally, the mechanic came out and said how difficult of a time he had getting the front tire off and the new on on. He stressed that if I ever get a flat tire, I should just ride it out or cut the tire off. Yes, cut the $60 tire off. I almost lost my shit and screamed, "Why the F did you even put it on there?!?!" Or, at least he could have asked, "Are you sure you want me to put this tire on, seeing how difficult it is?" Nope. I was mad.
Regarding the bike's other issues, I decided to make it a single speed for simplicity and my new-found love of it, by using the (Ultrega!) derailleur as a chain tensioner and I swapped the drop-down road bars for flat bars. Then, since I found a pretty sweet and cheap seat to replace the one on my 29er, I took the 29er seat and put it on the Trek. Project complete. Sweet, retro/hipster/urbanite commuter bike up and running. I was happy.
So, back to the current situation... Monday at 4 pm, I was sitting at work and within two minutes, I went from feeling fine (and excited that the day was almost over), to thinking I was going to explode out both ends. I quickly made the decision that I was going home immediately and three people even said I looked like death.
I struggled my way upstairs, had a miserable experience in the bathroom, changed clothes, and then hobbled downstairs to get my bike and ride home. That's when my day really went downhill, even more so...
The front tire was completely flat. Yes, the one that I was told to ride-out or cut it off if I ever got a flat tire. Not even 50 miles on those tires and I already had a failure. There I was, about to puke and in disbelief about my bike.
I then went back in to the office and snagged a ride to a friend's cabin from my boss, half way to my cabin. I laid on the couch there for over a half hour, after thinking I was going to puke all over my boss's car. He then gave me a ride home, stopping twice on the way (only 4 miles to my cabin) because I thought I was going to ralph, and then I did as soon as we pulled into my driveway. I proceeded to unleash every ounce in both volume and weight of liquids and solids from my body for the next 5 hours. I felt like I was going to die. My roommate and his fiance came home and they said they could put an IV in for me if I wanted. I was seriously thinking about it. My stomach and abs felt like they were contracting under negative pressure and ripping away from my abdominal walls. I couldn't even keep 4 ounces of water down, so I tried sipping water, 5 drops at a time, by using my hydration bladder. That didn't work, either. So, there I was, with not a single thing in my stomach, the most dehydrated I could ever imagine being, and not able to lay in any position without wincing in pain. Norovirus - the worst I've ever felt.
At 3 am, I woke up after laying on the floor for a couple hours and then one of those cheap blue cots, and thought I felt good enough to drink something and hold it down. Pedialyte was on the menu, for sure.
Now, I'm at least holding water down and the disabling pain has gone away, but can't figure out what to eat, when I'm able to, and I'm still not running on even one cylinder.
That was Tuesday morning. It's Wednesday night and I'm still the same. No appetite, very painful stomach, lots of horizontal time.
I'd rather be at work, so I'm hoping I feel better. When I do, I'm heading to Beaver Sports to have them fix my tire dilemma, because I am not cutting off a $60 tire!
On top of all this, I just found out I have double flats on my 29er. I don't even know what to say...

Rockin' the Single-speed

...and lovin' it!

22T chain ring

Surly 18T stainless steel single speed cog

8-speed chain

Surly Singleator chain tensioner (new version)

2.6 gear ratio for off-trail rollin'

The Ride: 29er

My tricked-out ride is as follows:

2009 Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc 29er
Origin8 Black Ops Carbon 29er fork
Easton Monkeylite DH Hi-Rise Handlebars
Cork tape-wrapped grips
BB5 brakes with Origin8 rotors
Friction tape wrapped brake levers (for winter)
MRP 1.X front chain guide
Single-speed front 32s chain ring
Shimano Deore rear derailleur
SRAM Attack gripshift (rear only)
Shimano 12-36T 9-speed cassette
SRAM 9-speed chain
Wellgo MG-1 magnesium pedals
29" Snowcat 42mm wheels custom painted black
Shimano XT hubs F&R
Black spokes & nipples
Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29x2.4" tires
Specialized 1.9/2.3 presta valve tubes
FSA carbon seatpost
Apocalypse Design custom frame bag
Dogwood Designs winter poagies

Early Season Pedaling in Denali

This whole biking thing has really taken over my life and mind, lately.  Constant modifications and additions to my bike, commuting to work, joyrides, and lots of hours spent working on it... it is consuming, yet a great thing at the same time because it gets me out and keeps me active.

Alaska Explorer and I went to Denali National Park and rode part of the Park Road on Easter.  Started at the Teklanika River Gate and went until the snow got too mushy on the way up Sable Pass.  Good first time in the park for me and first real ride of the season for Alaska Explorer.  Might have to return when the road crews get farther down the road...

I'm definitely on the way to figuring out how to most effectively carry the gear I need on my bike. Even since the WM100 trip, it's changed quite a bit, outside of my awesome frame bag.  I still hate backpacks when biking, not for the weight issue, but for ventilation. I hate getting a nasty, sweaty back when the rest of me is cold. The Dogwood Designs poagies keep my hands warm and are fantastic below 35º.

Plenty of trips for the summer were eyed up, as well.

...and some from Alaska Explorer:

Our matching frame bags made by Apocalypse Design in Fairbanks.

White Mountains 100: Solo & Self-Supported

I did it.
100 miles in 29 hours, solo & self-supported.  Off the couch, no training.
First long wilderness, winter, and 100 mile ride.  No injuries, other than straining my thumb from shifting (problem fixed with recently installed grip shift). Crashed once. Pushed the bike about 10 miles (not bad), including about 5 miles of aufeis (overflow ice). Mostly good trail, outside of some mashed potato and sugar snow.
Lots of things ran through my mind.  Lots of ideas and things to write about...

I remembered at about mile 35 that next time I'll bring a spare tube.
A flat tire may have meant hitting the 'Help' button on my SPOT.  That's a one-time mistake.

Winter biking is awesome.  Skiing is fairly fast, but requires too much energy.  Hiking is easy, but way too slow.  You can't fully comprehend how much fun it is to ride in winter until you try it.

100 miles in a day is a long way, but completely reasonable. Yes, it was hard and, yes, it was long, but obviously, it wasn't unrealistic. Conditions were good, yet marginal. It was for sure the last weekend a person could realistically ride in the White Mountains and still have good snow (melting from warm temps). This trip has stemmed many ideas of what is possible (for me) on a bike, especially in winter and on a trail.

The 'bikepacking' aspect of the trip was really fun. I'm so used to backpacking and carrying everything I need for a trip that having it all on my bike and basically sitting down all day and pedaling seems idyllic. I'm an ultralight, fast hiker that likes to cover as much ground as possible in a given amount of time. 30 mile days are my goal. With biking, I can easily cover 60 miles in a day without even coming close to the amount of energy and strain on my body that hiking 30 miles would put me through. I think this trip has opened up a whole new view on my adventures and will change my eyes that I view topo maps with for quite some time.

While I truly enjoyed the long distance aspect of the trip, it was the time I completed it in that I am unsure about. Like I said, I love to do things fast and push myself. However, often times I'd rather push myself only moderately and 'take my time.' 100 miles in 29 hours... now I know that, with a little training, I can compete in winter races and that I am capable of reaching the big goals I set for myself. The latter being a monumental achievement, in the sense that I always dream big with my trips and this time, along with some others, I truly performed at the same level. That is a major confidence booster and motivational experience.
Did I enjoy biking 100 miles through the wilderness on a snowmachine trail and pushing my bike 10 miles? Yes.
Did I enjoy doing it solo & self-supported? Yes, in some ways, no, in others.
Did I learn a lot of things about myself, my bike & gear, and off-road biking? YES!
Will I attempt other long distances in the least amount of time possible? Yes.

Did I enjoy biking 100 miles in 29 hours by myself?
That is the question that stands yet, unanswered.

...and then it was over.

Snow Biking

While it may have only been the Goldstream Valley, it sure did feel like we were in the middle of Everywhere, Alaska, today on our bike ride.

Somewhere around mile 11, we hit an entire pond covered in overflow, which I ventured out onto, then got my feet a bit wet. After deciding it would be insanely difficult to trudge the bikes through the woods to go around the flowing water and regain the trail, we turned back on our tracks through the beautiful, snow covered forest and wetlands. Sun, cold temps, and snow = a good day biking.

Gear reports:
Snowcat Wheels for a 29er
While flotation is a plus, it is tire profile that is the real product of wider wheels. The wide wheels give the tire a flatter profile, reducing washouts (side-slipping) and creating a more stable ride. The entire tread width is also used, which decreases breaking through the snow crust and increases traction, again, fighting washouts.

Apocalypse Design Frame Bag
I fully stuffed the frame bag and it performed flawlessly, securely storing plenty of gear for a one day biking trip. No flop, no leg rub, definitely secure, snowproof, overflow-resistant. I'm happy. Go get one.

Custom Job

Went in to Apocalypse Design and had them make up this frame bag according to the specs and design I wanted. Turned out pretty slick.

Tapered a little wider in the forward 10" to accommodate more gear since leg clearance isn't needed farther forward, yet it still gives clearance nearer the seat while pedallin'. A divider part way down not only compartmentalizes the frame bag, but keeps it from bulging out like a big stuff sack. I left the design instructions with them, so if anyone wants one, they have an idea of how to make more and I'll keep them updated on what designs work and what doesn't. Can't wait to test it out on a camping trip. Best part is it cost less than half to have made when compared to the only other available frame bag, made by a guy in Anchorage who does orders mostly for people who do the extreme races. Priority also goes to them, so wait times are around two months. Mine took less than a week and it was done in town. Sweet.