P-51 Build Status

I started on my first balsa model build last week. It is a 43" wingspan House of Balsa P-51. I have gotten as far as shaping the leading edge on the right wing. Here are some photos of the progress.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Knudball/HouseOfBalsaP51Build#

Training Ride

Friday ran three miles. Saturday rode 35+ miles. Probably one of the last days this year I can wear shorts for a ride.

Ran

4 miles as part of cross training.

New Bike

After some finagling and monkey business, I picked up a new bike last weekend. I have been riding rigid all year, so I decided to continue with that configuration for the new bike. Words won't do it justice, but I picked up a Niner E.M.D. with the Niner carbon fork. The ride weighs in at around 23#s. Excited to get it to a cross race before the end of the season.

Riding has been lacking as we lose the light in the evening. The weather has been nice enough to get mile in on the weekend, so I won't complain. Last weekend I got out for 20 road miles on Friday, 15 dirt miles on Saturday, and about 12 miles of dirt on Sunday. This weekend was 17 road miles on Friday, and some hill intervals on Saturday.

Statism

"If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all" - Thomas Jefferson

Fall Day in Theo

Went out for a endurance ride on Saturday. Road to Theodore Wirth trails, 2 laps, then back home. Total mileage is just over 30. Total time is probably 2 hours and 15 minutes. Legs were tight from 3 mile run on Thursday.

I picked up a pair of leg warmers this week after last weekend's ride. Andy and I did some hills in the cold, and it really put some pressure on my ligaments and tendons. I used the leg warmers yesterday, keeping the legs warm for the entire ride. I found the warmers at REI on clearance ($25 for thermafleece PI leg warmers).

I have been looking a getting a new bike for next season, but have been a little reluctant to put down the cash. The main focus has been a Niner E.M.D., but recently I have been looking at the Niner S.I.R. My shift to the SIR is based on two thoughts: first, I want to have the ability to setup the bike as a single speed, and second, I have always wanted to try a steel frame. The obvious downside is the fact that the SIR is heavier than the EMD, and the cost is that much higher. The internal debate continues...