The Development

So In my workings I have changed my focus a bit. My new website construction has begun. I am playing with the idea GoGorge.net which is a travel based site providing users with the exact locations of places around the columbia gorge to play. I am including lakes, mountain biking trails, river put-ins and take-outs, hiking trails, wind sport launches, and places to stay off in the woods.
Website development was put on hold however with the arrival of a very large package at my door from Kona. A rare Kona "A" 20inch full suspension xc/trail frame. The building began on friday and was completed sunday morning, and tested sunday afternoon.




So there it is I am calling it my Kona A 69er.
It is currently rigged up as a singlespeed with some components that have been well ridden and well loved. The good stuff is below:

• Reba SL Air 80mm front fork with preload, lockout, adjustable rebound and motion control.
• Fox Float RP3 100mm rear air shock with propedal dampening
• Bontrager Select Cranks
• Raceface Isis BB
• Cane Creek Aheadset
  
• Supersweep bar
• Hellbent grips
  
• Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes
• Shimano SPD pedals
• Bontrager superstock 29inch Front wheel w/ Panaracer Rampage 29er tire
  

I am waiting on Kona to send me a dropout so that I can rig up my gears. I will be loading up SRAM X-7 derailleurs. Currently the Rear wheel, cassette, and disc are off an old beater and are just passing as I run through the testing phase of the rig. The geometry is a little weird with the big wheel up front. Low speed handling takes a hit as a result. This can make logrides a little tougher when travelling at slow speeds. Technical climbs require a different approach of hammering down hard to keep your speed up. The 29er up front eats up rocks and roots and will help out with the momentum. When you decide to head down, the backwards geometry will almost balance your weight for you over technical trail and gives more control thanks to the wider contact patch of the 29er tire.....when you decide to keep it on the dirt. Swoopy, windy singletrack is dreamy. The steeper camber of the front fork means that the steering feels tight at speed and tracks right on line and feels solid, pulling you out of the steep turns.

When I mount up a new rear wheel, a big think tire will be nice back there for maintaining traction on climbs. Thats it for now, Im headed to post canyon.

Blog Opening

So yes, There is a Blog. I am interested in sharing some wisdom from my travels and life.
So first things first, I am currently working at The KayakShed in Hood river, selling Kayaks and Kayaking Gear. It is a lot more relaxing than being a Wilderness Head Instructor. Being that I am also a passionate paddler, Its great to be able to paddle any given day after work and play with all of the great new toys.

In my new line of work, I deal with a lot of whitewater, recreation and touring kayaks and gear. Paddles, PFD's, helmets, drybags, drytops, drypants, drysuits, sprayskirts, layers and of course, boats. As an avid paddler, I have also found a lot of other toys that are fun to use on the water, namely waterproof digital cameras. Weather you are Sea Touring, hucking your local drops, or floating the lake with the family, a good waterproof camera is invaluable.