I am obsessed with Fatties...

Let's be real, I have a pretty decent cross-country mountain bike set up right now but I am always looking for more.

It's great for what I do and could use a few tweaks here and there. But there is a style of bike that has been climbing in my list of lusts: the affectionately named fat tire bike.

(Image from www.fat-bike.com)

Beside the fact that they just look badass, they can go almost anywhere that a normal cross-country bike can go and further. They float over beach sand without leaving deep ruts and taking extra effort and also handle superbly in snowy conditions. You see, Michigan has both of those things, all the more reason for me to get one.

As if that were not enough, most of them come with enough braze-ons to carry everything in my apartment; thus appealing to my affinity for packs, racks and bags, as well as opening a whole new realm of possibilities for shoreline touring and camping.

For now, I have to dream, save my pennies, and scour the used forums!

-J

Brew Day

I suppose that I am in one of those moods where I want to try something different. So guess what, I picked up a Mr. Beer Kit. Honestly I would have liked to get a more advanced set-up, one that would give me the possibility to brew more that 2 gallons at a time, but hey, I am in an apt with limited space and this seems like a good way to start.

The process seems pretty easy, all in all it was ready to ferment in about 40 minutes.

My brewtensils sit on the sanitized plate while the alcohol booster comes to a boil.

Wort and water with the yeast being pitched.

Not my first choice, but hey it came with the kit! It can't be bad right, it's home-brew!

Hopefully in about 2 weeks it will be ready to bottle, and a few weeks from then it will be drinkable. That means I only have 2 weeks to decide which mix to brew next!

In other news, South East Michigan has received a little snow, but that has not stopped me from riding my bike. However faulty parts has. I am currently on the hunt for a 9-speed shifting mechanism, but after I secure one I will be all set.

Hope you enjoy your Monday Holiday all.

-J

Michigan Biking News!

While poking around online I found a few articles concerning some bike projects that I thought might be interesting to you.

When I see these things starting up I get very excited because it means that people are going to be outside powering their recreation, getting healthy.

Blue Star Trail: http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/08/blue_star_trail_will_allow_bic.html

Yet another new Mtn Bike Trail in Grand Rapids: http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/08/new_6-mile_mountain_bike_trail.html

Hopefully trails and mtn bike parks such as these two will aid in making Michigan a diverse destination state!

We do have a little something for everyone.

Have a great week.

Loads of new posts coming.

-J