Likin’ Bikin’ News

A couple weeks ago, we headed up to Solvang for-to-do “the century“. And!, Solvang being just a stone’s throw from Lompoc, where the stars of Team L’B’ live, why not drop-in on our good friends? Yes, I’m talkin’ about the Wilcox circus. So we made a weekend of it. Road’ing on Saturday and pumptrack-chillin’ on Sunday. (Yes, “roading” is a word… a present participial, in fact!)

So anyway! Friday afternoon, Bri and I drove up to the area, only took 3 hrs… viva L.A.! We stopped in Solvang and checked in with over 5,000 other roadies for Saturday’s long ride. Ironic thing, they give you three number plates (for the bike, the jersey, and the helmet), it’s not a race… in fact, it’s not even timed. So what’s with all the numbers?

After picking up the stuff, we headed a bit further north to Lompoc and checked into our modest (read: crappy) motel. I won’t get into the details, but please shop here so Bri doesn’t have to stay here!

Saturday morning, 5:00, our good friend (and instigator of this quest) PJ and I were off to the ”Starting Line”. From here (after you make your way through the port-a-potty lines) you just start when you want. Nobody even makes a note of it… again, what’s with the numbers?

Although it started off dark and cold, with a long downhill out of town, the ride itself was great. That central coast part of Cal is just downright purdy. The “roads” (roadie talk for “trails”) roll through valleys, coastal hills, and vineyards. Although I’d been riding the hell outta it, I’d not spent so much time with the L’B’ road machine in one day before. Note: The Solis CF frame/fork is and has been a great platform for a not-so-kind-to-bikes guy like me.It’s fast, stiff, light, and durable. Oh, and look! We sell’em too! <– (purely coincidence) So, if you’re gonna roll with your baggy Hoss gear….

So anyway, Team Wilcox met up with us about halfway for some moral and culinary support. Which was nice! And, for the most part, the miles went by quickly after that. Which was also nice because our concern was less about the distance and more about just getting bored. Turns out, the good people, great support, awesome scenery and smooth fast sections, made it all quite fun… Who knew?! If asked to go again? Absolutely!

Now, onto Sunday!

We’d been talking about getting up to the Wilcox pumptrack since Marshall built it… decades ago! (or months) And the birth of the Nummers was just the kick in the pantalones we needed!

So, after passing out on the Wilcox couch ( the Solvang roading wiped-me-out) it was Sunday morning and, after some breakfast (was it sushi and icecream?) we were already out back for some p’track fun. BTW, did I mention what a great job M-Dub did building this thing? I expected an all-dirt backyard at their house. Not even! In fact, looking out the window from the house, you can’t even tell there’s a puptrack back there. It’s cleverly kept behind a 4′ fence beyond the normal landscape. And the track itself? C’mon! Perfectly groomed and maintained. There’s even a citrus tree beautifying the inside of one berm and a sandbox for the lill’uns at the another. It looks as natural back there as a swingset or something in any other nice suburban yard.

I had never ridden one of these tracks. The tightness of the turns and frequency of the pumpables took a bit’o getting used to. But before long, we were all out there having a great time. Marshall had put the word out for local riders to come by too. All rode the new Nummers, and all seemed impressed. Especially Brian!

How’s about some pics:

…and for the next shopper who asks if KinLin XR-300 rims really ARE as strong as they are light… Please refer to the “booty” vid:

C-ya!