Winter has come again...

Guess it's that time of year again. The time of year where I must override my bodies natural response to the weather and amount of daylight that makes me want to sit inside and drift into a long slumber. I don't do very well in the winter, I need the sun to make this thing go and to make matters worse, I am moving in a few days and the "to do" list just keeps getting longer. Throw in Christmas and seeing friends and family and wrapping up an eight year real estate career and all I want to do is crawl up in the fetal position with a bottle of Makers Mark and wake up in Asheville in the Spring. Well, that's not going to happen with out some divine intervention so today the plan is to ride for a few hours to sweat out the stress and come home and start packing boxes.

Christmas has not even registered, ever since my days of retail I have had a hard time getting into it. Mainly I just look forward to seeing friends and family that come to town that I have not seen in a while. Christmas these days seems to be more for the kids and since I don't have any, it is easy to not think about it in a "let's go shopping mindset". I have not been to the mall in over a year and hopefully will not have to go to a mall for another year having avoided the holiday buying pressure. The year ahead is going to be an experiment for ole' jut rut. I am looking forward to a year of self sufficiency and less consumption. We have so much in this country to be thankful for and yet somehow many of us (including myself) can easily take for granted what we have and want more to feel satisfied. Only to find that we still do not feel satisfied once we have obtained that next thing we think we had to have to feel good about ourselves. I am guilty of the above myself, three years of a booming business and I have more stuff I don't need and that I have to store, sell or pack up and move. Other than some clothes, my music collection and bikes which offer stress relief, transportation, mental and physical health benefits I don't really need much else. So, it's off to Asheville to live with the hippies and live a little more like a hippy myself. Never really thought I would go big in business, working smarter not harder mentality sometimes leads to more business than you need. Then before you know it your "smarter" approach is a success and your wind up working "harder" just to keep up with it. It's all a learning experience and one that I will learn lessons from but none the less I paid my dues and now I am cashing in the chips and going to learn a few new life lessons. I really think 08' is going to be a great year. So enough about life, (isn't this a bike blog?) I am going to ride a bike and you should too. Peace and good will to all, remember what this time of year is about and enjoy just being with those you love.

Happy Holidaze...

Jut Rut

Back in Black (with red stripes)

The Sycip is back with a pretty new paint job from Spectrum Power Works. Our boy Jamie P provided the design. All I can say is that I am a very happy man... See you on the trail boys and girls.

Polo was fun on Tuesday with Troy taking the prize for the most laid out crash I have seen yet. He was perfectly horizontal before hitting the ground and taking the top layer of epidermis off his arm. Hope that's healing up my friend. 2/4/1 Beer with the Manondale post polo made for a perfect ending to a great day.

The sun is coming out. I'm going riding...

Later y'all!

Jut

My memory of this weekend is a little foggy...

Last week was a mad dash to get the house ready to put on the market. It didn't leave much time for riding but did provide a few nights for drinking and kicking it with the crew. Did a good urban with Dun and Sharp and I am getting use to the idea of dropping of stuff with no worries. Having a big bike is going to allow for some good times. I hope that once I get use to the weight difference I will be faster on the SS. The plan is to ride the hell out of a thirty + pound rig for the next few weeks then get on single speed and rock the Snake Creek Gap.

This weekend rocked! Even though I am only moving 5 hours away and will most likely see someone from the crew every weekend once the weather warms up I had the chance to throw a throw down to celebrate my departure. The crew stepped up and came out in force on Saturday morning to hook up at Franklin State Forest. We had 11 people make the drive up the mountain to Monteagle to ride the new sections of the 20+ mile loop and the great bluff lines that we have loved for years. It was raining and crappy in Nashville but once we got on to the trail the rain was no where to be found. It was foggy with about 20 ft of visibility and the feeling of riding in BC with all the moist rocks and roots. The ride was great although we did set a new record for the number of flats with in a twenty mile ride. I think the total was upwards of 15 flat tires, guess that says something about the trail. Rocks were hiding just underneath the leaves that covered the trail and to boot thorns also claimed more than a few tubes. It was nice though as we found ourselves getting to hang out a lot rather than just hammering on single speeds all day. The ride wrapped up, beers were drank and we headed back home to tap the keg and get the festivities started.

The party rocked. Lot's great people were there. nuff' said, I'm out...

Jut

Giving Thanks...

Another week, a few more good rides. Post Thanksgiving Day ride at Montgomery Bell brought some good people out with Elliot, Dan D., P-track Jim, Rick H, Stick, Pillsbury, a few others. Great day on the leaf covered trails with temps perfect for a fall ride. Two laps and lots of fun thrown in and thrown down. I was great to have so many people come out and join us and of course the pace was pushed and sliding through turns on a few inches of leaves made for an exciting time. It's amazing how much this trail has improved with the addition of some new trail and smoother more flowing lines. I didn't like coming to this trail at all a few years ago and now it has grown into one of the best in the area. It has a little bit of everything and the race loop as it was run this past year keeps you working with out ever pushing you over the edge. It is fast and flows like no other loop I have ridden out there and if you just find a way to incorporate the table top jump in the loop with out backtracking at all it would rock even more. By the way that's Danny D going huge on the tabletop bridge. And next you see pump track Jim say thanks as I learned he built most of the bridges in the back and hauled in the wood to do so. Work like that is tough but most of us don't think about how they got there we just ride and ofter critique them with out thinking someone had to bring this back here and work on it instead of riding for a day. Speaking on the subject I know I have been guilt by not really doing any "paydirt" for the last two years I have been too busy to give any time to the local trails and I do feel guilty but one of my new plans is to start giving back more to the trails that give so much to me. If we all gave a little imagine how many more trails and how bad ass the trails we already have would be. Thanks to all that give their time and energy towards building cool stuff to ride. You know who you are...

Speaking of trail improvements, a number of the crew rode Hamelton Creek yesterday and got to check out some of the new trails and drops that have been added. I like everything that has been done so far and now that I have a bike with some suspension I am loving it even more. Although the chain skipping around on technical terrain I could live without. For the most part the ride was great. I pulled the new series of drops on the backside on the third time on the new bike though the drops are nothing big it is still fun and a little challenging due to a different kind of ride. With the leaves down you can see all the rock drop opportunities at that place. If the city would allow it H.C. could have some serious gaps, drops, and bridges. The new trails give you a taste of how gnarly it "could" get. I hear a downhill section is in the works so maybe they will go big on that section and give people who have bought a full sus bike a reason to ride it in middle TN. All comments aside the trail is great for riders of all skill levels and once again thanks for the people that are out there building these great new trails.

Things seem to be getting better as I am leaving town and I am happy everyone will get to take advantage of all the work happening with HT., M.B. and the pedestrian bridge at Shelby Bottoms. I have watched the bridge happen for the last year or so and always dreamed of the day I would ride my mtn. bike to Hamelton Creek or ride a bike to the skatepark skate the bowls, and finish the day with a round of disc golf at Two Rivers. I guess someone else is going to have to live the dream for me. The dream can be yours if you are a skateboarding, bike freak, disc golfer and are looking for a house in East Nashville just a mile from the Shelby Bottoms Greenway. I will make you a killer deal on my place if you can keep the dream alive.

The house is going up for sale tomorrow and I skipped a ride today to get things wrapped up. Sacrificed one ride for a move towards a simpler life that will allow lots more riding and less time working to pay for a big house. However, I am about to walk in my clients shoes which at the moment are like a pair of ugly, rock hard Penny loafers, that are two sizes to small. Basically to say that it sucks to be selling right now, but some people have to move and I hope they move to my house. If you have been to my pad, you know it rocks. Tell a friend and help me move to the mountains I will give you a free place to stay and free beer every time you visit me. 1920 renovated Victorian, a mile from downtown, three blocks from 5 Points and everything cool on the East Side. Call me if you or a friend needs a cool place to park that car and ride a bike everywhere in Nashville. When peak oil hits and gas is 10 bucks this location & house is going to rock and everyone who thinks it is cool to live in Franklin and drive into work downtown better have saved some coin to keep that SUV running. I better step of the soap box and get some work done before this gets ugly.

Stop the war for oil. Ride a bike.

Peace,

Jut

New City + New Trails = New Bike

Well, I know what you are all thinking and yes, I suck. Not really, but it does seem that I am living the life. I admit I am probably having more fun and living larger than that average 33 year old kid. But I guess thats what happens when you're Jut Rut and expect nothing but the best out of life. I don't like to settle for anything and yes it is selfish but it's how it has to be when you realize that life is short and it could all change tomorrow. So why not go for it? Most people hold themselves back from living fully but they place blame on outside circumstances each day. It's really quite simple and there are a thousand ways of saying it but the old saying, you believe you can or you believe you can't, either way your right. Well I guess I been thinking about some cool stuff and about living the life of a college kid cause I feel like I am 22 again only with more bikes and a few more skills under the belt. So look out world or maybe just the southeast because Jut is about to bring it.

New bike equals new skills... It was bound to happen one day. Gears and suspenion? I know the crew was shocked (no pun intended) to see that Jut has added a full sus bike to the fleet. I never really gave it any thought while kicking around in middle TN. There is not enough technical trial here to warrent spending that kind of money or that amount of energy pushing some heavy rig around the local mountain bike loops. I have always enjoyed picking clean lines and feeling the direct connection to the trail that a hardtail provides. As far as gears go there was not a really good reason for those around these parts either. There are no real climbs on any of the local trails, I hate chain slap / skipping gears, maintainence on a singlespeed is about all I can stand, (tighten chain/lube chain and go) and to boot it makes you a better and stronger rider. However, where I am heading there are Mountains, rocks, and roots that makes Hamelton Creek feel like a ride through the park. So, it was finally time to add a full sus and M.O.A.B. Mark made it happen by putting me behind the handlebar of a new Santa Cruz Blur LT (long travel) with 5 inches of travel in the front and rear for your downhill pleasure. M.O.A.B. is a great shop and has the coolest boys in town ready to help you build whatever you need. If you're in the area and need a bike you need to call them first. And when you pick up your new ride take a six pack and hang out a bit, those boys are usually thirsy. So a big thanks goes out to M.O.A.B.

Picked up the bike on Friday and rode around downtown Nashvegas that night to get a feel for it before loading up and heading to Swanee on Saturday morning with Greg D, Elliott, Thad, Mike and Greg II. Right of the trail we hit a rocky decent and I noticed that after carefully picking lines for years I could gear up and hammer down stuff with no worries of the "hidden baby head" covered in leaves. The ride was tough due to the suspension not being dialed in and the gears were slipping on me, which was one reason I gave up gears in the first place. The decents were great and I can see how I am going to enjoy the bike even if the first ride feel alkward and at times frustrating. I have some single speed habits that are going to take some time to break. It really is like learning to ride a bike off road all over again. However, once I get the hang of it I can forsee new lines and faster speeds with less concern about making the gap or getting sent over the bars. The ride was beautiful to boot with the leaves in full color and veiws from the ridge openning up. Post ride beers and food at shenagans made it a 5 star day and it was back on the road to Nashville.

Monday afternoon Greg D and I took her to Hamelton Creek. Lots of nice new trail awaited the new bike and once again the new bike handled the rocks like a champ and new lines were found and enjoyed with less thought put into picking lines and more thought put into catching air. I think this is going to be just what I needed to make the Asheville Experience even more enjoyable. See you boys on the trail...

Jut

The Crew brings it to Asheville...

Making it to Asheville by bike was half the challenge of my Nashville to Asheville adventure. During my week in Asheville I took a Green Rehab class that dealt with going green when remodeling homes and using the ecofriendly materials. This class has inspired me to chart a new direction in my business and combine what I studied in College (Environmental Studies) and the career I have developed over the last eight years. Making a difference vs making profits is not an "either/or"and the way I see it you should do both. I mean we all have to eat, pay bills and of course buy new bike parts when they wear out, so why not make a living helping others live better themselves and treat the planet with a little more respect at the same time. Seems like a no brainer to me... The class was everything I hoped it would be and I look forward to lots more workshops when I get to Asheville. The town puts Nashville to shame in its pursuit to Go Green and the mentality of the average Asheville citizen is certainly more progressive so here I come to embrace my hippy love child upbringing and pick up where I left off in college with my pursuit to leave the world a better place then I found it.

It certainly does not hurt that Asheville also has a great music scene and I caught live music each night I was there. From the free Bluegrass jams, hip hop from the Life Savers out of Portland, an old favorite Galactic, and Nashville Pussy, Hank III and The Rev. Horton Heat, I saw some good shows and drank lots of great beer while I was there. My roommate and best friend since 5th grade, Ty, is the one in black rocking the Madelin. He is in a bluegrass band called High Windy and is one of the best people you will ever meet and his band rocks. They are wrapping up their album in the studio right now so keep an eye out for these guys coming to your town they are amazing. I look forward to learning a few new things on the guitar living around music so helpfully I will be able to jam with these guys after spending some time in the Mountains. Speaking of living in the Mountains...

The word is now out that I am moving so I thought I would entice all my crew with a few pictures of the Asheville headquarters for the Yazoo Crew and Associates. The "Crow's Nest" as it was named in 1905 is a three story stone cottage that is tucked into the trees just 5 Minutes for downtown Asheville by bike. It is a stout climb but only a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway that is hit by taking a few back roads directly behind my house. For the crew we have a whole downstairs room equipped with a bar and a places to crash when the boys and girls come to town. This place is heaven on earth and has the feeling of a cabin in the woods with the conveniences of the city and an incredible natural food store, Greenlife, located about 6 blocks from my house. Bring it on boys and girls, your welcome anytime...

The last day of the Asheville trip was Swank 65 Mountain Bike Race. This race takes you on a 42 mile journey through the hardest trails in Pisgah National Forest. For those who have never ridden Pisgah, you don't know what you are missing and if you think doing two laps at Lock 4 is a Mountain Bike race you have it all wrong. Riding in Pisgah is what Mountain Biking is all about. It's rugged, steep, rocky, rooty, and there are literally hundreds of miles of riding for your Mountain Bike pleasure. This is not a place for beginners or girlfriends who don't really ride. Seriously, don't take your girl here unless she can kick some ass on a bike or your girlfriend will be gone. I stayed in Asheville the night before the race and partied with Ty and the boys, a number of old familiar faces came over and for a while it looked like an old Ktown party with several people showing up that I had not seen since leaving college in 98. We kicked it until 1:30 a.m. and feel asleep on the floor as usual and woke up a few hours later to take part in one of the hardest races of the year. Fred hooks me up with a ride and we get to the start with just enough time to throw on my gear and line up at the back of a hundred riders ready to take on the challenge. The rest of the crew, Ivory, Jamie, Thad, Mike N, had spent the night in Pisgah and when Fred and I pulled up they were just starting to thaw out after a cold night representing in the mountains with a bottle of Makers around the fire. Ivory officially won the party and was the last person to see the fire before calling it a night. After a late night and 400 miles of riding a bike that weighed half as much as me to Asheville I was thinking "just finish the race" but 45 minutes into the race my legs felt great and my attitude changed. Jamie (racer boy had lined up front so I figured he was going for the win. I figured I would try to find him and I caught up with Jamie on the trail, adjusted my headset and was off never to see him again. For the next 4 hours I rode with the best legs I have ever had in a bike race and passed a good 50 people or so to come in 3rd in single speed and 20th overall. Good ending to a great week or two on the road.

Life is about to take on a new fresh direction. Much like a bike ride to Asheville the predictable days are over for the time being and it's time to live each day with out knowing what is going to happen tomorrow. This trip taught me that when you don't know what is going to happen, it allows for incredible and almost magical things to happen. I have been experiencing that when you tell the universe what you want it has a way of making it happen. I look forward to the ride of life ahead filled with some amazing experiences.

Moving On...

After a great night and a warm bed leaving Ktown was tough. I waited until 4:30 to leave town and was graciously escorted to the Asheville Hwy by T Gaines. We rode the greenway out of town and when the road turned into Asheville Hwy T bid me farewell and I rode off into the cold night. Cold, tired and hungry I stop by a grocery store for some food and decide to keep riding. I find a closed drive in food shop outside of Knoxville and fuel up. I wanted to make it Dandridge TN where you first catch up with the French Broad River. I figured once I made it to the river I would find a quiet place to hide out and set up camp. A few hours of riding later and I was pedaling through Dandridge around 10:00 p.m. I cruise over the river and start looking for side roads that may offer a hiding place (camping spot). I decide to try a particular road and after climbing the tallest hill I could find in the middle of nowhere I spy a sweet little piece of ground at the top of the ridge. I set up and watch as millions of stars shine bright overhead. It was now around 11:00 and I am finally off the bike for the night, set up shop and crash out. So far this was by far the best camping spot of the trip however, a few hours into my slumber I awoke to a dog barking very near my tent. He knows I am there and continues to bark all night. I am not moving and figure he would finally loose his voice but I woke up at least 4 times and the dog just kept going. He was apparently done when the sun came up and as usual I do the oatmeal / coffee thing and as I am packed up and ready to hit the road I had the pleasure of meeting the property owner who ask "are you lost" I tell him "no just enjoying the day" and with that I leave the surly old property owner to wonder what the hell I was doing and go about with his miserable day.

I hit the road to Newport. Nice rolling hills and I can see the mountains surrounding me as I ride East. A quick stop for lunch and I head towards Hot Springs, NC to end my day. The hills start to go from rolling hills to long climbs as the miles take a little longer to traverse. I make it to Hot Springs at 5 o'clock. This is a one blinking light town in the of the Mountains but that is perfect for me because all I can really think about or need is some time in the natural hot springs that the town is named for. I hit the springs and luckily for me tourist season is over. I get a private tub over looking the river and soak in natural mineral for an hour in the cool fresh mtn air while enjoying nips from a pint of Makers Mark. Let me tell you that you can find heaven on earth! Feeling better than I have felt in months I head to get some dinner at the Paddler's Pub. It is also the only pub or restaurant in town open this evening. A burger as big as my head and two Galic Ales and I am feeling way too good to try to find a campsite at night. However, I ride past the campground that sat 50 yards from the pub determined to make an adventure out of the night. I start riding towards Asheville which involes riding up a 3 mile long mtn road. Keep in mind that it is freezing cold and I am drunk. No sign of fire road or woods as the road is cut into the side of a mtn and the ground drops straight down after about 20 ft of shoulder. I see a small area where pines and shrubs make for a good hiding spot (camping site) and set up the bike by the edge of a cliff and tie off the rain fly so I am camouflaged from the road. I sit in the darkness and place my hand over my light each time a car passes so I would be kick out of camp by the local authorities. I noticed that I could not see any stars and sure enough an hour later the rains come. The rain fly and space blanket combo works well and keeps me dry as I sleep through the night with the heavy rain falling inches from my head. Good night indeed...

Asheville or bust. I wake up and head back down the hill. Over night a cold front moved through so it is at least 10 degrees cooler than it had been in the mornings. I freeze as I pack up wet gear and head to get coffee and breakfast. A quick stop off at the Hot Springs diner and I am once again making my way up the mountain towards Asheville. I find that this is only one of the many LONG climbs I would encounter on this day but I feel great and a tail winds lifts my sports and gives me that extra boost up and over several of the worst climbs. Around every corner awaits another great inspiring view as I pick up speed towards Asheville. I feel as my journey is giving me insight into the next chapter of my life and that all things are pulling me towards a new town and a new beginning. Signs are now coming at me from all directions that I need to make a move and do something I have wanted to do for almost 12 years, get to Asheville. As I am riding through a small town 20 miles from Asheville I see a train coming up next to me as I ride along the banks of the river, I look over as I am racing the train feeling on top of the world and what do I see? A train with a tag "MOVE" it was at that moment that all worries of what, when, how, a major change in you life is "suppose" to happen and I realized you just have to do it. When you stop getting hung up on the details the larger picture becomes clear. Kinda like "not seeing the forest for the trees" that you have heard a thousand times but this time I truly feel it and know that it is the right time, right place and I am in the right mindset to make it happen... Asheville here I come!

Bikes, Beer, and Blindfolded Fire Jumping...

The adventure continues. Knoxville must have known I was coming because a few hours into my arrival I am drinking with my old dear friend Nick Gotten, Thomas, and Sean at The Hall Ridge Trails in K-town. Now this place takes me back, to simpler times. Cantilever brakes, steel bikes, ridged forks, and a Richy z-max 2.35 kevlar bead tire that was all the suspension I needed. The year was 1992 and I was in school at UT with my Kona Lava dome which was my high school graduation present. I wore out those trails back in the day, even made my roommate Matt R. puke on the hill of truth. It was good times... Well, here I am again. Making people puke.

This weekend Knoxville became Knoxvegas and celebrate the Annual Brew Ride. How perfect I race for a brewery? Now these Knoxville boys have raised the bar. We have been doing the urban thing more than a few times but getting on the trails is where it's at for a Mtn. Biker like myself. So, just let me say that there will be a brew ride in the near future for a trail in Nashville in the near future when I return. Get those lights charging boys.

Ok, imagine an alleycat race, stupid human tricks, tons of beer, and a ring of fire jump. While I will keep what happened at other checkpoints a secret, I will tell you our checkpoint rocked. Sean, Nick, John and I found a site for the blindfolded bike ride. Yes, blindfolded bike ride. We had each team of two riders shotgun a beer each and climb a rocky section of trail for about 30 or 40 yards blindfolded only to be assisted by their teammates vocal instruction. We hung out in the woods for a good three hours putting back beers and hanging around the fire, which could be jumped for bonus points of course. The night was awesome and after we made it back from our checkpoint a fire was raging and I got to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. Not a bad night for a stop over in Knoxville. Now it's off to pack the panniers and hit the road again. Hope to make it to Dandridge tonight and Hot Springs, N.C. tomorrow night.

Word. Jut Rut

Above is our K-town Crew member Thomas G. about to embark on his half ass blindfolded ride. Remember T, cheaters never win but winner's sometimes cheat. Better luck next year. Jut

On the road again...

Nashville to Knoxville update... Three days on the road and feeling fine (except my knees).

Day one: Nov. 1st - Day after Halloween. Need I say more? The Yazoo Crew came out in force and costume and rocked the East Side. 3 Crow was going off with Power Load rocking the AC/DC covers, cute girls in costume everywhere, and the Makers was flowing. I gave no mind to the fact that I had a 300+ mile journey that was to begin the following morning. I woke up late, had a ton of stuff to wrap up and didn't make it out of the house until 1:00. Mark D. at Eastside Cycles says "it's going to be cold up on the ridge and in the Mountains" and that I should probably get a space blanket since I was only taking a thermarest, rain fly and a 40 degree sleeping bag. So it is off to C.T. before I even make it out of town.

The clock at C.T. reads 1:30 and I am still hungover and making my way to Lebanon Rd. to get out of town. The next hour and half is a death march out of town with a million cars flying by me all the while I wonder what the hell I was thinking and which car is going to be the one that takes me out. I finally make it to past Mt. Juliet and traffic lightens up and the country road begins. Not that it helps too much as the trucks just get bigger, more obnoxious and drive faster. Miles turn into hours and hours into miles. I set my sites on a wildlife area 10 miles east of Cartage put my head down and turn the pedals. The sun goes down and I am still 30 miles or so from my destination. Dinner in Carthage and it's back on the bike. This is where the hills begin by the way and it takes me two hours in the dark with temps dropping before I finally throw in the towel in my search for the wildlife area and I sleep on the side of the road by a lake where there was a small natural buffer. 1:30 - 10:15 with 70 miles under my belt, not a bad day on the bike. It is now freezing and I realize the trip to C.T. was worth it. I crawl into the space blanket with my sleep bag and freeze the night away.

Day 2 - Nov. 2nd - Frost on everything as I grudgingly get out the sleeping bag. It's 10 before I hit the road. Biscuits at the closest store around and back up the hill the where I left highway 70 the night before. Lot's of hills kick up as I head towards Cookeville. A good pasta lunch and it's off to climb the Plateau. Ouch! My knees hurt... Back roads in this area are not the best idea I have learned. The roads have some sick grades but offer the best views and fewer cars so I guess that's the trade off. The miles slow down as I pedal up the ridge and I make it to Clarkrange by night fall. A killer pizza at Dino's in Clarkrange give me a fifth wind and I push on for another 15 miles to crash on the side of a gravel road that looked remote enough to not wake up to an angry farmer or half drunk hunter. Another long day and it is a few nips of Makers Mark and call it a night. Rode from 10:00 a.m. till 9:30 p.m. 80+ miles and two sore knees.

Day 3 - Nov. 3rd - Another very cold night and I wake up to a very heavy frost on my cap and sleeping bag. Didn't sleep very well due to the cold but the sun is up and Knoxville is still a ways to go so I get up and start the day with the ritual coffee and oatmeal and it is back on the pedals. Coming out of Clarkrange I think I will hit Wartburg for breakfast. Let me tell you there are some serious climbs heading up towards Wartburg. My knees do not like me anymore! I tell them to go and they say F*#K OFF. I have no other option so I push on just at slower pace. The shoulder of the road on interstate 62 disappears and I feel like my life is more at risk with every turn of the pedals. Mile after mile of trucks doing 80 on a road made for 40 mph. All's well that ends well. Thomas Gaines gets the call that I am few miles outside of Oak Ridge and comments that there is no good way into town and he suggest that I get a ride into K-town. After battling cars for the last few hours I decide not cheat death any longer and take him up on his offer. A six pack at the store and a dash into the woods to wait for T and the day is done. Plenty more riding ahead and my knees need a few hours rest.

Things I have learned thus far.

1. One should probably train for a ride like this.

2. Pack some warm stuff when bike touring in November.

3. Night touring might be safer due to the lack of cars on the road in remote areas.

4. Tennessee is a beautiful State and needs more bike friendly roads so more people can enjoy it.

To all the crew back home, I'm thinking about you all and you are the tail wind that pushes me forward. Wish my knees well...

Peace.

Jut

Who's got Soul?

I do that's who. Things have been on the up and up for ole' Jut Rut these days. The past week has been one of the best I have had in a LONG time. Several days of great rides and good times have gone down and it is about to go through the freaking roof... Let me take you back to last week. Tuesday throw down at my house, polo was rained out so instead we hooked up and drank. I got on the computer and found that Pump Track Jim was selling a Soul Cycles single speed frame and fork for 50 bucks. It was my size, the right price and a sweet baby blue. I called him up, called it mine and went to bed knowing that I would definitely have a Mtn. Bike to ride at the Swank 65. Wednesday was dinner on the East Side with my dad for his birthday at Rumors East. Great food and conversation and a wonderful bottle of wine. The karma came back quick and I got a little surprise present of my own later that evening.

Thursday I headed to White Bluff to pick up the new frame and fork. got home and in an hour I had the new rig up and running. The crew was planning on hooking up at the brewery so I ran home hooked up with Sharp and the ride was on. The new bike feel great as soon as I threw a leg over it. On the ride to the brewery I hit every jump and gap along the way and never once felt unnatural. The crew came out in numbers on one of the first cool nights sporting the wool and we took the town by storm starting at the brewery and wrapping things up with moped burnouts by Allen Middlesdorf our new "pro racer" turned "let's ride cause it's fun" guy and bike piles at Beyond the Edge. Friday I made the trip to MOAB bikes to get a few things set up for the next adventure and I had to take a night off so I rested up for a ride at Montgomery Bell on Saturday with the crew.

Saturday morning came and Thad, Dunn, Sharp, and Danny D all made it out for a very fast paced lap at the Bell. The new Soul Cycle feels like a bike that I have ridden for years. Very fast and well balanced, handles great in the air and rips through the turns. Post ride Mexican food in White Bluff and it was home to rest up for the nights festivities. Ball Hog and Less Honkey, More Tonky were playing at 3 Crow so Thad, Troy, Manondale, Fred, Dan, and Dan's better half and friends made it out. The bands rocked and costumes were in full effect. A bike pile was created and many beers were consumed. A late night post bar breakfast (is it 5 am already?) was had and I think I ate my weight in pancakes. Big thanks for Thad bringing me back to the Manonranch for a safe landing.

Sunday I awoke on the Southside at the Manonranch. Lost keys, lost wig, and a bike with no desire to ride home the 30 miles on a single speed mtn bike in jeans. I take a ride home in the Manonvan rest up for the afternoon trip to the pump track. Massey, Dunn, Sharp and I headed west to White Bluff for the pump track at its best. An awesome day and the pump track was perfect. We paid our dues riding out there this summer in the 100 degree heat with dusty conditions so the 60 degree temps and rain earlier in the week made for a great session. Feeling the flow on the Soul Cycle and loving every minute of it the envelope was pushed till I took it a little too far but luckily the rain made the ground a little softer to land on.

A great week as you can see. Now it is off to the next adventure... Nashville to Asheville self supported via the cross bike. I have ticket for Hank III, Nashville Pussy and The Rev. Horton Heat at the Orange Peal, a class in doing Green Home Remodeling, and Ivory is bringing the Soul Cycle for the Swank 65. It's on...

Two Wheeled Therapy...

The past two weekends have been stellar. Two weeks ago the Nashville Cyclocross Series kicked off and kicked my ass. Dan "the man" Weerle threw another great event at Two Rivers Park and the boys in black showed up and took names. Thad and Dan traded 1st and 2nd on day one and two with Neumyer taking a third for the team and me wrapping things up with a sorry 5th place finish. I usually do pretty well at cyclocross but it just wasn't my day to turn up the volume and I quickly fell from first to 3rd then sat up and just threw in the towel. The course was great the day was prefect and I think that was my problem. Cyclocross races should be muddy, cold and make you wonder why you are riding a bike with skinny tires in such horrid conditions. When it's 78 degrees and sunny as hell I just can't get into it, but oh well guess with Global Warming I will have to get use to it or move to Portland. There is always the Columbia Series that kicks off in January, let's all start praying for crappy weather now so I may have a chance.

Sunday was better though... A trip to Land between the Lakes in Kentucky with Dunn and Elliot on Saturday night was just what I needed and still with out the Sycip the Surly Cross Check was nominated to take the trip. There are very few material things in my life that I treasure as much as my green cross check. The bike is a lot like me, it does a lot of things pretty damn good but doesn't truly excel in much other than just being a cool bike. We camped drank a lot of beer and woke up slowly by the lake. Elliot made a killer breakfast and we were off to preride the course for the upcoming Race to the Canal. The cyclocross bike showed the boys that you don't need suspension to kick some ass in the rolly single track at LBL and on the road back to the car I even made the boys hurt a little.


I spent the week getting a few things together for my next adventure, a mini tour back to Land Between the Lakes. I left my house on Thursday heading North West with all my gear loaded onto the black Cross Check. Running three gears up front and one in the rear the bike was just what the Tennessee hills needed. I had my gears for up, flat, and down and once again realized most people just complicate things by taking on more crap than they need. Day one took me through Asheland City where I crossed the river and headed North West toward Erin TN. I figured I could make it to Lake Barkey by night fall but the weather had a different plan in mind. I know really bad storms were coming and I kept thinking I would find a bridge to tie a hammock underneath to ride out the storm overnight. As darkness fell I must have looked under 10 bridges to find a place to tie up with no luck. When I made it to the lake and looked up the sky was filled with the most amazing lighting storm I have seen in years. I stopped to turn on my phone and I had several messages from friends to let me know that tornadoes were touching down about 30 miles west so I backtracked it to Clarksville and found the cheapest hotel one can find and settled in and watched the storm blow through with 50 plus mph winds and found that the area I was hoping to stay was one of the hardest hit. I guess I do sometimes make the right call when presented with dangerous conditions. The next day greeted me with headwinds for the first 40 miles or so before turning North and heading in to the South entrance of LBL. I made it to the KY state line after an hours or so of riding by the light of the moon and an amazingly clear sky. Another 20 miles or so in to KY I found a fire road that took me the the North/South Trail where the point to point race is usually held. A mile or two of rough gravel lead me to some sweet single track which I rode for a mile or so to a hiking trail to the lake where I set up camp and got a fire going. The clear sky meant cold temps and I froze the night away in my hammock with everything warm I had and my sleeping bag pulled over my head and sealed tight.


The morning light came and I arose from the hammock made some oatmeal and hit the single track for a mile or so then a good twenty something miles on the road to meet up with the boys at the north end of the park. Jamie showed up followed by Thad, Greg, and Ivory. I was done for the day but the boys when out for a lap. I relaxed by the lake and enjoyed sitting still for a few hours. As the night approached the Brandon showed up and the beer flowed freely and thanks to Thad we ate all the pasta my stomach would hold. Just to make the race a little more interesting and more difficult we also added a liter and half of Makers Mark to the mix (when in KY right). The wax was broken and shots ensued. I figured we might put a dent in it but the boys threw down as always and by the end of the night only one shot remained for the fastest Yazoo rider to finish post race. Did you ever take that shot Thad? Well the night turned out to be a blur but the positive side was I have never slept so well on gravel. Morning came quick and I awoke to the sound of a lantern being lit and watched from my tent for a few minutes as Thad went to work in the dark making bagel, egg and cheese sandwiches for the prerace breakfast. Quite hungover with almost 200 miles of riding fully loaded with gear I had no idea how my body would react. My first thoughts were to just ride it and poach the race. I figured if I did that I might not even finish so I put my money down and decided to join in the pain and suffering and see what I was made of. The boys in black showed up at the line looking intimidating as always and proceeded take of at the word go. Jamie wasted no time and shot to the front as Thad and I hung in 4th and 5th place surprisingly I felt great after a mile or so into the trail. My hangover left and my legs felt light and just as I was thinking about how I was going to go for it my rear wheel decides to slip in the drop outs. Now I have about 3mm of clearance on both sides of the chain stay considering I am on a cross bike running a 1.9 29ers tire so any slippage and you're screwed. I pull over to fix it and watch the next group of 6 ss riders past me. Back on the bike and determined to close a gap I gun it for the next mile or so only to have the wheel slip again. Guess it was meant to be a fun ride so I throw in the towel and wait for Ivory and Brandon to catch up. Not long after I run across the natural set of doubles and decide to see what the cross check is really able to take on. I clear a run up to the jump and after a weak first attempt I clear the gap on the cross check. Did I mention that I love that bike? Well, the rest of the ride was beautiful and the weather was perfect all in all it was a weekend that I will never forget. The race went well for Thad with a fourth place finish and Jamie had the win in the bag until a wrong turn took him out of contention but watch out for that boy in upcoming races.

My head is clear and it feels like my soul has been recharged. If you like riding bikes do yourself a favor and take a bike tour. There is nothing like spending all day covering ground and knowing that your adventure is powered by you. I have been reminded of a very important lesson in life and that is "LIVE SIMPLE" so much of was has caused me grief, stress, and burnout has been due to making my life more complicated and thinking that if I can get more I can then get out. That's not how it works my friends. With more stuff comes more problems and working your ass off to live for the future doesn't add up. Live for today and embrace the moment. If you want to go do something don't wait for the perfect time or the perfect amount of coin in your bank account cause that time won't come. What's in the past is in the past and what lies ahead is just an extension of what you do today so go for it now and if it's meant to be it is meant to be. I lived for three days on a bike and realized that it is time to start letting go of the chains that bind me. A big house, high overhead, the material things that we think we "need" are all just things that can pull you away from the most important things in life. Riding single speeds have proved that by loosing all those gears you can focus more on the ride when are not concerned with more moving parts and wondering if your in the right gear and always shifting from one to another when all you need is one. Be one, one with your self, your surroundings, and know that we are all one in the big picture. Life is only as complicated as you make. Keep it simple and feel the natural flow of life. You will be glad you did.

Life is keeping me on my toes these days. It seems that with each day I have a new situation to deal with. Unlike the past few years where each new day meant dealing with surprises that came via an overwhelming work load. This year it seems that surprises are more the emotional (real life) variety. Relationships, career choices, and lifestyle suddenly all seem to be in question. I can remember when it was all so easy and so clear. Those days seem to gone for the moment and I am feel like I am swimming in surf unable to get out past the pounding waves that just keep coming. If you have ever been surfing in powerful waves you get the picture. At times I am tempted to just turn around and go back to the safety of the shore and other times I want to make it out to the calm water past the breakers and catch a new wave and see where it takes me. I don't mean to bring anyone down as this is a bike blog and not some blog where I sit in front of my computer and pour out my feelings for the world to see. But riding bikes and my life have a lot to do with each other and as I have learned more about myself I realize they are two things that are almost inseparable. If you really have a passion for riding like me and rest of the Yazoo Crew you realize that the choices you make in life have a lot to do your passion. As you will read below I have had two recent losses that emphasize that fact that my life and riding bikes are intertwined.

The hardest test of late has certainly been the loss of my three year old wonder pup Indie. This dog was as cool as they come and from the moment I saw him I knew he was going to be an incredible four legged riding buddy. Indie lived for the days that I would come home, start packing up the bike gear and give him the look to let him know he was going to hit the trail with me. On the trail he was light and agile constantly picking unconventional lines over fallen trees or through thick brush so he could take the lead. Riding with the boys Indie would sometimes hang back and other times lead the group ride. Playing in the water, running wide open at the disc golf course, or just laying beside me Indie always had a look on his face that let you know he was happy and full of life. He was smart and well behaved but unaware of the rules of the street and it was a car that lead to his early exit from this world. Indie brought me great joy and with his loss comes great sadness. In his passing I have once again been reminded that every time I hit the road on a bike that I need to be very aware and that when it comes to encounters with cars the car always wins. Be safe out there boys... Indie would want it that way.

The latest break up involved my favorite bike. Though it almost feels silly to talk about after contemplating the loss of a beloved friend but as any real bike enthusiast knows, you get attached to these welded tubes of steel. When the bike feels like an extension of yourself it is all the harder to let go. The Sycip has been from one end of the country to the other. It has seen some of the best trails in the US and never asked for much except a little lube. It has always come back wanting more than I was able to give it. Well, that was until I pulled up to meet Thad for a ride on Saturday at The Hameltoe. Ironically Thad was commenting on how cool the bike design was and even went on to say that a Sycip might be in his future. As I am responding with the comment that it has been my favorite mtn bike ever and that I love everything about it I throw a leg over it only to hear a weird sound like something was loose. Headset? no. Rear wheel? yes. A quick tighten of the rear wheel things are good right? no. Still feeling loose and I still hear a strange sound. A closer inspection revels what I never wanted to see a broken tube. The good news is that the boys over at Sycip are on it. A call to Nor Cal on Monday morning and the bikes in the mail with a promise that I will be reunited with my newly painted ride asap and in plenty of time for the next big adventure (aka Swank 65). Looks like the cross check is going to get one more chance to prove itself at the Race to the Canal in Ky next weekend. I just wish Indie could make the trip...

Vegas Baby, Vegas...

Long time no blog. The Yazoo Crew has been having all kinds of fun lately and my liver hurts. Having this much fun is not easy, it takes a toll on you. People ask me so what's been going on so I guess I need to put the word out.

For one Bike Polo has changed the way I look at Tuesday nights. The crew has been at it for over a month or so and the game has proved once again that I can never stop finding new ways to have fun on two wheels. Yea, a couple of people have made trips to the emergency room and bike parts have been sacrificed but we keep coming back for more the the games are just getting better as our skills improve. Give us a call if you want in on the action and we might give out our top secret polo court location. Oh and newbies have to fight the manondale in a cage match to see if you have what it takes to play polo with the big boys. Props to the Seattle Bike Polo Crew we hooked up with in Vegas (thanks for the street hockey ball, it rocks) and hope to see you see you at a Polo Tournament on the left coast.

The Firewater 50 was three weeks ago. Don't let anyone tell you that North Georgia is anything but bad ass. The crew had a great showing and the trails were great. We did what was basically a long group ride with about 10 Yazoo Jerseys making the 50 mile birthday ride on single speeds (with one fixie, you are sick Hodge). A throw down the night before the ride made us all dig deep during the 7500 ft of elevation gain but the ride was worth it and we were treated to a great post ride cookout and party.

North GA was so good to me that I had to go back for more two weeks ago. Ivory and I packed up Friday night and drove to Chattanooga to hook up with Jamie. Saturday morning we headed back to the scene of the crime from the week before and explored a few trails that we didn't hit the week before (Thad, I think Pinhoitti 1 was better than Pinhoitti 2). In Yazoo fashion we had a few beers in the lot post ride then it was off to Atlanta, GA for some rock n roll with Queens of the Stones Age and cocktails. Partied till the sun came up and limped back home to TN.

48 hours later the Yazoo crew is on the move again with Dan H., Sharp, Jamie, and Jut on a plane to Lost Vegas for Interbike. While the details of this outing are a little hazy it is needless to say that the Yazoo Crew made the most of Vegas. Sharpie sold a ton of socks, Jamie pushed the pimped out Lynskeys, Dan did what Dan does, and Jut spread the word on events to come and tried to get to find a place to crash during the SSWC next year in Nor Cal. We kicked it with some badass people while we were there and had a ton of fun. Two bike races, 6 bottles of whiskey, a free Nashville Pussy Concert, a ton of cool bikes and gear to look at. Special thanks to Stobin, Jace the Ace, Ben T, MOAB Mark, Doug at http://www.scalleycat.com/, Soulcraft Sean, Yuri, and everyone else who made a soulless place like Vegas fun for a few days.

Lots more in the works for the fall. Look for the crew at Bald Eagle Challenge, Nashville Cyclocross series www.nashvillecyclocross.com and the Swank 65. See you on the trail or at the pub...

Cheers,

Jut

Life is a test, and only a test.

Well, I am a slacker when it comes to blogging. I will show up to ride, party, or work but when it comes to sitting at my computer to update a blog I just suck. However, I am going to try to get better at taking a few moments a day to let you all know what's happening with the Yazoo Crew. I just got back from ORAM or Off Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell. A mountain bike "race" if you want to call it that. For me this time it was more of a mountain bike "test" in which the mountain test my bike and my will to keep pushing myself to the next adventure. I have learned the hard way over the last three months that life WILL test you. In this thing we call life you are sometimes forced to take on crap that you never wanted to take on and other times we take on an unthinkable task just to see what you've got inside of you. I have been taking on both lately and although I prefer to pick and choose my battles that's just not the way it works. I have been going though some pain lately so I figured what the hell, why not take on a little more and after about 9 beers the prior weekend I decided to "race" my trusty cyclocross bike at one of the South's most brutal races. It does help that the Yazoo Crew came out in force with the support one needs desperately when making a commitment to such a stupid idea as racing a single speed cross check for 67 miles in the mountains but that's what we're all about. It goes back to our motto "we didn't come to win but we might". I figured since I have not done any training and my longest rides have been to the bar on the other side of town "why not race the cross bike?" My thoughts were that it would either be my way to victory or my final demise. It turns out that it was neither. The cross check treated me well for most of the ride and it really didn't hurt me till Curtis Creek. The only gear I could pull together in a few day prior to the race was a 34x20 which I will admit was a little stout for such an event and lack of preparation. It didn't help that I partied like an eighties hair band for three night's in a row prior to the event and had 3 hours of sleep the night before but agian this was a moutain bike "test". What did the weekend tell me.

1. I live in the moment and like to have fun with my friends. So much that I am willing to sacrifice what may happen to me the following day.

2. Riding a cross bike at ORAM is a bad idea.

3. Stanahands makes great whiskey.

4. I have some great friends and made a lot more by showing up to a killer race, I mean test.

Word.

Jut Rut

Hello people.

Welcome to my first blog entry, ever. Jut Rut of the Yazoo Crew spreading the message of mountain bike racing and the pursuit of a good time. These are two things that are important to me and if they are important to you then we should hook up and ride a bike sometime. We are a collective of Mountain Bike Racers and cycling enthusiast sponsored by the best microbrewery in Tennessee. And in case you didn't know, we drink and we ride.

Riding is suppose to be fun, right. We rode bikes as kids because we like to ride them. It was pure, it was simple. Well, me and the rest of the crew still feel this way. From the time I was learned to ride I have been hooked. I'd say it has been a consistent evolution from wooden jumps in the front yard, to riping up the backyard BMX track, to now traveling with the pursuit of finding some great bike trails and good times. Bikes and board sport have been a part of my life and my passion. Now insert beer and good parties and we are on to something brilliant. Our effect has been entertaining so far but the Yazoo Crew is just getting started.

Keep checking in and I will try to bring you a digitized sample of how we are trying to change the world by riding bicycles and living life to the fullest. Let the good times roll.

Jut