outback

2010-01-18T13:15:00.001-06:00

Catherine Moore, Bicycles Outback racer and all around bad ass is now the Texas State 40+ Women's Cyclo Cross Champion!!!!

2010-01-11T13:12:00.001-06:00

More Colorado and Tyler.

2010-01-11T13:04:00.001-06:00

Mike went to Fruita this summer and these are some of the images from that trip. The one of Mike O looking like a ragged out dog is from Tyler State Park.

2010-01-11T12:55:00.000-06:00

Bicycles Outback kicking ass and taking names. Not really but it sounds good.

2010-01-07T10:17:00.001-06:00

its cold in here.

2010-01-05T09:04:00.001-06:00

Loop we did in Sunday. It had some big hills and lots of dirt in it.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled

2009-12-28T12:05:00.001-06:00

We are now down to this and our Facebook page being our primary source of info. We will update more often from now on.

2009-03-29T20:50:00.000-05:00

2009-03-29T20:45:00.000-05:00

2009-03-29T20:41:00.000-05:00

2009-03-29T20:35:00.000-05:00

2009-03-29T20:27:00.003-05:00

So in Waco we have an unlimited supply of great dirt ROADS. We spend a lot of time riding on them day to day but never really connecting all of them. So the idea of a great ride, a Grand Fondo of McLennan county took shape. Well on Sunday morning a few of us took off into uncharted waters following a line randomly placed on a map. Above are a few pictures on a spectacular day that was near perfect. Single speed road bikes, good friends and a lot of awesome dirt roads. I will post more as I get them uploaded. IAN

2009-02-20T20:38:00.002-06:00

I remember the first time I really rode a road bike. I had been riding mountain bikes for a long time and before that we used to ride bikes as a family on long rides on the weekends but this was different. Andrew said to me one day that I should really try riding on the road. Well we spent some time gathering up random parts and stuck them on his old 7-11 team edition Mercx frame and away I went. It was so smooth, and so easy to just go. No rocks, no roots no real thinking just the whir of your tires on the asphalt and the wind in your ears. This morning while cruising down a deserted country road by myself I was aglow in the solitude and peacefulness of it. There is a certain zen like quality of rolling down the road pretty much oblivious to everything around you imerresed in the feeling of the wind in your face and the sound of your tires rolling forward. No matter what is going on in this world a couple of hours on the road and things seem clearer and cleaner at the end of it. You can achieve this on a mountain bike to but it seems like it takes the perfect combination of smooth curvy singletrack that is few and far between. What I am really trying to say is that bikes are my zen and my medicine all in one and I am eternaly thankful for two wheels. IAN

2009-01-26T08:55:00.003-06:00

First of all I would like to say that I am sorry for not blogging more recently, however it has been busy. But anyway, everyone who mountain bikes in Waco and the surrounding area should make the 2 hour drive to Colorado Bend State Park to see what the Waco Bike Club has been up to. Miles of rad single track and double track through hills and rock gardens. Long climbs and amazing views. I mean spectacular views of large canyons, waterfalls, natural springs and armadillos that have yet to be hit by a car. I think the next work weekend will be around the 20th of February so put it on your calender. In other news it is pissing rain here today and generally not very pretty but oh well at least it is above 50 degrees. IAN

2008-12-06T15:21:00.000-06:00

The internet will be the downfall of humankind.

2008-12-04T15:49:00.004-06:00

I have to say that it is a great day at Bicycles Outback.

2008-12-03T10:24:00.001-06:00

bikes are rad.

2008-10-21T16:48:00.002-05:00

Please do not go dookie in the park in the middle of the trail, Mike is prone to running it over. IAN

2008-08-28T08:57:00.004-05:00

It has been a while but we have been really busy here at the shop the past few months so sorry about the lack of bloggin. Anyway, it has come to my attention that a long and harmless tradition in bike shops seems to be coming to an end. It seems as Maynard Hershon pointed out in Bygone Bootcamp that the young people in the sport are no longer taking to many cues from the older more ripened ones in the sport. Yesterday we were paid a visit by a couple of disgruntled parents of a local character(Who happened to have his first shop job this summer) upon whom a little prank was played. Now this tradition goes back a long time and I will date myself here by the following. When I first started at a bike shop18 years ago I built myself up a beautiful new road bike. It was an Eddy Merckx 7-11 team edition in that sparkly green, red and chrome. It had a mix of Dura-Ace and other stuff on it and I loved it. Well about 15 minutes into the first ride the freewheel fell apart and my ride ended with my rear wheel locking up. After walking back to the shop in total despair I found a couple of the other mechanics laughing in the back. All that was said was welcome to the club. Many other instances have occurred in the past eighteen years, the kickstand on BW's new Ritchey, The water in LLL's tubes on his new 23lb.(?, why is it heavier then my alloy bike) carbon bike, Charies cranks falling off, BJB's annoying rattle in his seattube, The tomato in my seat tube, just to list a few. Well now sadly this era is over and we can all look forward to bringing the PC world of corporate America(long may she live) into the grease and triflow infested back benches of the local bike shop. Anyway have a great day, ride your bike, rage hard in the bendies, don,t take life to seriously and most of all relax. IAN

2008-05-15T10:57:00.002-05:00

So wednesday night is the night for two rides here in town the KOW and the unsanctioned dirty cow. Well last night the regular group of riders who attend the dirty cow were a little under the lazy radar and decided to just mess about town. This was a great way to spend an hour or two. Piddling around town on our fixed cross bikes only to end up at the Dancing Bear Pub with a cold pint and a couple of tree ducks for entertainment. If anyone has ever seen a duck on a powerline you know what fun it was. I

2008-05-10T08:22:00.002-05:00

Yes, yes I know it has been a while. Busy these days trying to ride and enjoy the weather. Been raining a bit just to keep the poison ivy a little bit happier then it already was. Looks like it is on roids or something this year. That has led to road riding and mixed dirt road rides. Cross bikes out and about. Cookie, Car bomb, Blaggalini and myself have been out checking the county for dirt roads to make rides out of. Other then that just workin away. I

2008-03-31T14:36:00.003-05:00

Fontucky National (Matt Googe)

This weekend my wife and I went to the first NMBS of the year in Fontana (AKA Fontucky) California. We had a pretty good trip lined up considering the airline tickets were free and we had a free place to stay in Pasadena.

Apparently if you actually do training you get faster. I had a great weekend and got 8th out of 46 in the cross-country. I had a good start and came through after the first lap in about 4th. I wrecked in the last lap and ended up in a big group attack-fest at the end. The course was actually a lot more fun than I anticipated and was deceptive in the amount of climbing involved. The only technical parts of the course were riding through the hub-deep sand and dodging the pissed off teenagers hanging around the course after school.

The short track also went well and I managed to get 3rd of 26. The short track involved sandy climbing, an all out sprint on the only straight part of the course, more climbing up the 4x jumps, and then a sandy descent to the finish.

On Saturday we toured Holly-hood with one of Ashley friends that moved out here. I offered some spectacular opportunities for people watching. There was a guy in a Walmart Spiderman outfit charging people to take pictures with him. I think I found a way to supplement my income. This tactic may not work as well in Waco though.

I took a lot of pictures but it's not letting me post any so I'll try and add some later. Thanks to the shop, Ashley, our hosts Lyle and Brooke Warner, and everyone else that helped us out this weekend.

2008-03-24T16:41:00.002-05:00

So check out www.found.com Mike saw this web page one day and it is rather interesting. It gives a sneak peak into peoples lives that is odd. I have no idea where you actually find notes like these. I do not believe I have ever found anything like this but oh well. Cat lost her chain on Vortex the other day and I have been looking for it every time since, still no luck. Somewhere someone has a nice shiny chain. IAN

2008-03-24T09:18:00.002-05:00

Well another edition of the Bicycles Outback Blowout is in the books and for at least one more year we managed to keep our heads above the water. It is part to our kick ass volunteers and a nice old lady named mother nature. Course was perfect and all was right in the world. Spring break has ended but during the week I got a few rides in with the wife on the trails. Her finger is healing fairly well but when it gets really bumpy it still hurts. I think she needs a 29er to smooth that stuff out. Went on an easter ride yesterday with Who Hey, red wine is not a great energy drink makes the hills seem a little longer then they should be, but the park was sweet and packed with easter parties. The KOW has started up again, Wednesday night behind the shop at 5:30, ride till you drop. The Ladies ride is going to start up again on Tuesday Night at 5:30 up at Miss Nellies, all abilities more social club then speed. Enjoy. IAN

2008-03-15T09:58:00.001-05:00

These are the directions to get to parking for the Bicycles-Outback race. You will not be able to drive through the park to get to the Lover's Leap area.

From the South: I-35 to Martin Luther King(MLK). Head West until you get to Lake Shore Dr. Turn left onto Lake Shore then Left on 19th street then left on Park Lake(HEB on corner).

From the North: Take Lake Shore west, turn left on 19th then left of Park Lake(HEB on corner).

2008-03-06T12:56:00.002-06:00

So I noticed that it has been about a month since the last post and I figured that it was time to do something about it. We here at Bicycles Outback are bored. It is thirty something degrees out and raining. Not bike riding weather or anything else. Anyway Mike and I went riding this morning and after coming off being sick I went about two point five miles per hour. Raging fast. The Outback Blowout is upon us once again and it is time to wonder why people deem it alright to tear the arrows off of the trees that we put up to mark the course. It takes so much extra time to follow them around and re mark it that it always leads us to grumble and groan and figure out ways to catch them. The idea of hiding in the woods and pelting these people will high velocity potatoes has come up as well as other devious ideas, but the pacifist in all of us come out and we do nothing. Oh well have a great wet soggy crappy day. IAN

2008-02-06T20:20:00.000-06:00

On what has to be considered one of the worst night rides of all time two crazy things happened. First Catherine, my wife, crashed and broke her finger. The same finger that has already been broken once this year. Then Mike got crapped on by a buzzard in what must of sounded like a water balloon being tossed from a third story window. So in what was to be Catherine's first night ride in eight years (other then the 24 hr. race) ended in pure disaster and comedy all at once. IAN

2008-01-17T09:19:00.000-06:00

The Outback Blowout this year is on March 15 & 16, 2008. It will be run on the same course as last year and you will be able to print a map off of the race web page within a couple of days. Look for all updates here and maybe at www.tmbra.org. The race webpage is www.keepwacowacko.com or you can link to it from www.bicycles-outback.com also registration is up at Bike Reg. IAN

2008-01-07T13:34:00.001-06:00

Winter Hours
M-F 10-6
Sat. 10-5
Sun. CLOSED

2007-12-19T08:59:00.000-06:00

Check out NYC Bike Snob today. Great rants about cars and people. Below is a small tid bit from it

Dear Fixed-Gear Caballero,

In New York City, as the mercury goes south the bandanas migrate northward, traveling from head-tubes and jean pockets to riders’ faces. You were one such rider, your hankie tied around the lower portion of your face, bandit-style. However, it just wasn’t that cold. There were infants in baby seats on hybrids with bare faces and they seemed quite comfortable. And if it had been that cold, a bandana wouldn't do anything anyway--except freeze solid with saliva and mucus and chafe your face. Maybe you wouldn’t be so cold if you knew that just because an article of clothing has a picture of a bicycle on it it’s not necessarily cycling-specific. You also don’t look menacing—you look like you’re playing Cowboys and Indians. And I’m not telling you this to mock you. I’m trying to help. A bandana is like a top-tube pad for your face. And the next step in cycling dorkitude is the Euro pirate roadie look. That’s a step you don’t want to take.

Great reading and always slightly demented. Weather here is perfect for a mountain bike ride so throw that leg over your steed and go for a spin. IAN

2007-12-15T09:15:00.000-06:00

Texas weather is odd. Tuesday it was forty degrees. Wednesday it was 79 degrees. Thursday it was 43 degrees. Yesterday was a little warmer and today the wind is from the north at 20 mph and it is nasty out. IAN

2007-12-07T20:35:00.000-06:00

Remember that Santa is coming tommorow. People, pets, bikes, gremlins, hats, coffee cups, computers, backpacks, whatever you want could have its picture taken with Santa. For $20 you can have all of this, plus cookies and drinks. Come on out and enjoy the holiday spirit and help support bicycle advocacy in Texas. IAN
p.s. it is from 12:30 - 3:00.

2007-12-06T09:52:00.000-06:00

Santa Claus is coming to town. Saturday from 12:30 until 3:00 Santa will be here to take pictures with both young and old. The cost is $20 and proceeds will go to promote bicycle advocacy in Texas. Come on out have your picture taken and help support cycling in Texas. IAN

2007-11-28T11:11:00.000-06:00

Well this old crazy cowboy came roaring into the parking lot today in his Ford Ranchero, looking for parts for his old English Hercules bicycle and when he was set to go he left us with a Christmas joke we will leave you with.
If you do not know the reason why there are angels on top of Christmas trees here you go. One Christmas Eve Santa was having a really hard time, the elves were on strike, the reindeer had the flu and Mrs. Claus was not being to kind. Well late into the evening a Christmas Angel stuck her head in the door and asked Santa where she could put this Christmas tree....

2007-11-26T17:10:00.000-06:00

All 2007 and 2008 Trek and Specialized hybrid and comfort bikes in stock are now on sale for 10% off. This offer is good until December 28th, 2007. IAN

2007-11-23T11:58:00.000-06:00

The sale came and went and there were no takers. IAN

2007-11-20T18:21:00.001-06:00

We will be having a one minute after Thanksgiving sale on Friday, November 23rd at 11:53 a.m. 40% off anything in the $15.00 bin on the counter(only valid for items in the bin not around the bin or placed in the bin by you the customer). Happy Turkey Day. IAN

2007-11-19T20:54:00.001-06:00

I would like to make it perfectly clear that Bicycles Outback will not be having an after Thanksgiving sale that starts at 4a.m. on Friday . This will not be happening. We may have some stuff on sale to kick start the holiday season but at 4 a.m. we will be asleep. Who-Hey won a cross race this weekend, Running man John was doing well until his tubeless cross tire went flat. Ghetto tubeless on the CX bike is still not quite there. My tires and Cookies tires have been holding air really well and not even Speegleville has flatted them yet. Well I hope everyone has a happy turkey day and you have a lot of family around to share the times with. If not go ride a bike and let nature take care of the friends. IAN

2007-11-14T18:03:00.000-06:00

Well hell, its been a while since my last post. I usually don't have anything important to say. I would like to apologize to anyone I might have offended with my last couple of posts. Sometimes I think that I am being witty when I'm just being downright hostile. Furthermore, I will try not to drop the "F" bomb. Changing the subject..... I have a frame for sale for anyone interested. Its a Kelly frame www.kellybike.com , green,medium size, for 26in wheels and V brakes. OX Plat. steel. Rides really sweet.----Mike

2007-11-11T07:42:00.001-06:00

This video is of Blagg otherwise known as Capitan Blaggo doing what he does best, entertaining us on bike rides. This was a long time ago and was the day that SB1 died from a impact with a landscape paver. But anyway I was siting in my chair watching the Today show this morning drinking coffee when they had a segment on multi tasking. Now I know we do multiple things at once at the bike shop in order to keep out life going but I do not have a cell phone, I have never sent a text message or used a blackberry, I do not send mobile email or have a implant in my ear to talk on the cell phone at anytime. After watching the section and seeing people talk about how many stupid little devices they use at once I am amazed that people can live this way. Why would you choose to talk on the cell phone look at a pager and use your blackberry to send someone an email at the same time. Well I guess I enjoy my simple life as a bike mechanic in a small to medium Texas town, riding my single speed and playing in the park. IAN

2007-11-08T08:07:00.000-06:00

First off I would like to give a great big shout out to the 81 women who attended Ride Cameron Park. Thank you for giving us a great weekend of fun and riding. Second the volunteers from the WBC who showed up in mass quantities to help make the event run smoothly and show some women around the park. Third the City of Waco deserves the biggest shout out of all because of their complete support of this event. It shows that the city has a commitment to outdoor recreation and special programs that will help to improve the lives of its citizens. Sergio from Siete Mares rocked everyones world with the food and Specialized has shown that their D4W line rocks. Other then that it was rad. Lots of riding, outdoor movies, camping, smores and beer. What a weekend.
We here at Bicycles Outback are all avid single speed riders. I do not even own a bike with gears simply because a single speed gives me a feeling of joy. Just the other day while riding down the trail I was thinking that 14 years ago when I first converted my mtn bike to a single speed I found what bikes were about. Simple, quiet, smooth fast and fun. I still get that feeling when riding down the trail. I love hearing just the sound of my tires on the dirt and nothing else besides the wind in my ears. There recently has been an explosion of a different type of single speeding to this world known as a fixie. There has also been talk about if this is good for the cycling community. As an avid fixed gear rider myself, although mostly off road, I find the trend to be good for the world. It means more people are riding bikes on a daily basis and that they hopefully will keep riding for most of their lives, then spread it to their kids and so on. But I do agree with the NYC bike snob about the use of at least one brake. Riding a bike and maintaining control of said bike is an important part of being a responsible cyclist. Part of the uphill battle in cycling is the publics perception of our sport and not running people over because of a lack of brakes will go a long way in helping spread the gospel of cycling and helping the world. Also because of the fact the I have been riding single speeds for 14 years and Mike has been on one for at least 7 years please don't question us about our desire to give you a straight chain line we know how it works. IAN

2007-10-30T11:43:00.000-05:00

RIDE CAMERON PARK is this weekend and we need volunteers. If you want to help please e mail info@bicycles-outback.com. We will also be having a volunteer meeting on Friday Nov. 2nd at 6 p.m. at the Cameron Park Clubhouse to assign jobs and go over event details. If you e mail me and do not get a response by then do not panic just show up. Everybody come on out and have some FUN!!! IAN

2007-10-17T21:16:00.001-05:00

So today was a big day, Daria lost her first tooth. The cool thing was she lost it while hiking in the park with her mother. Dave and Hannah Heddy leave on Friday for the cross crazy town of Portland. They are a great couple with big hearts and minds that will make an impact in the world. Check out www.keepwacowacko.com for the updates on the Ride Cameron Park Womens Clinic on November 3 & 4, 2007. It is shaping up to be a awesome event for everyone involved. Fall clothing has arrived so come check that out. Enjoy life, go ride a bike. IAN

2007-09-12T08:40:00.001-05:00

On the 185th day there was light. We have power in the shop on the new side of things. Wow, a fit room, employee lounge and a recieving area. We have gone big. REMEMBER, RIDE CAMERON PARK, A WOMENS MOUNTAIN BIKE CLINIC, November 3-4. Call the shop for more info or check the web page. I

2007-09-01T17:27:00.000-05:00

I just got moved into my new place. Just a short ride to C. Park.. sweet . We are having a Mtb ride at Cameron park on labor day at 9 am for anyone who wishes to show. Hopefully, it will be mellow. -Mike

2007-08-18T09:24:00.000-05:00

yeah, like, do you have any u locks?

2007-08-14T09:43:00.000-05:00

9:23 a.m. The sign is off... the door is locked. the stickers on the door say 'open at 10 a.m.' ... Joe Blow drives up , steps out of his car and ties the door. Just checking. Maybe there is a time zone difference between inside and outside our front door. People have no common sense.
--Mike

2007-08-07T18:22:00.000-05:00

Today we swam through so many crappy repairs that completely sucked. Maybe our energy levels were off but it was a long, long day here at the shop. Tommorow offers a ray of light since the repair board is clear. IAN

2007-08-03T17:07:00.001-05:00

We watched Kranked 6 at the shop today it was cool. Big drops and lots of flowy(is that a word) riding. It is finally hot here in Texas, after escaping the heat early through summer it is now hot. Who Hey is going up to Colirado (spelled that way for a reason) to race at aspen and hooking up with the red haired flamer while he is up there. Remember to ride your bike and have some fun this weekend, maybe hit a mud puddle or three. IAN

2007-08-02T10:45:00.000-05:00

So we are here. We really need coffee. We are in a bad way. I wish that we had a hammock to swing lazily in and dream sweet dreams of singletrack. Speaking of singletrack, the other day on our little shop ride Car Bomb and myself hit a mud puddle that was so deep it almost swallowed me. After this we were laughing so hard we could not ride the following climb. You don't get that kind of amusement on a road ride. Anyway..... IAN

2007-07-28T14:23:00.000-05:00

From Who-Hey:

Everything came together at Sugar.

Everything did not start well though. The night before, I was walking up the stairs in the rain, slipped, and caught my big toe on my Croc. I ripped off the nail and was bleeding all over the place. It bled seriously for three hours, and hurt like a mofo. Maybe the loss of blood made me lighter for the race though.

I had a good start. I rode the first two laps in third. First place flatted, and I held on for second.

(I knew it was going to be a long race)

(I raced myself stupid.)

(Podium)

2007-07-27T15:55:00.001-05:00

Who-Hey placed 2nd in the semi pro race at Sugar Mtn. in N.C. today. Way to kick some ass. IAN

2007-07-26T15:17:00.001-05:00

yeah.... I

2007-07-25T22:20:00.000-05:00

I have to say that I am very dissapointed in the happenings at the Tour de France. It is sad that people continue to put their own life and jobs at risk and the jobs and lifes of other all for some money and fame. It amazes me that the racers could be so stupid to think that they can pull this off. Back in the day when I was a team mechanic there was always talk and bitching about riders who were dopers and how it was so unfair to the ones who were not doping. I also believe that it goes much further then the race results, it drives sponsors away it makes racers look like a bunch of stupid aholes and it ruins the lifes of those around them. Boonen called today for lifetime bans, and the UCI should stop screwing around and do that. It is great that Rabobank took a hardline on the chicken and made a example out of him. For all of the racers that always follow the rules and bust their ass training to make it all work more power to Rabobank. Look up www.doperssuck.com and start supporting clean racing for all, not just a few. IAN

2007-07-25T21:15:00.001-05:00

This is Otis. He is our new family dog. He was an orphan that followed Cat home one day after a run. He is cool and mellow. He does not really have alien eyes but I am no photoshop wizard. IAN

2007-07-24T22:49:00.000-05:00

From the travels of Who-hey:

I'm currently in North Carolina. In the past 7 days I've been to Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.

After getting to Mount Snow and pre-riding, the course was in great shape. Then it rained for 2 days and each lap of the race involved 2 miles of hiking. It almost didn't look like a race to see everyone single file walking up the race-course. I was 10th for the first 2 laps and then got tired, lost 12 spots, and finished 22nd. The guy that won did so by about 8 minutes. Sandbagging like that makes me mad. In my opinion if you ride for a team where you're getting paid a salary and are winning non-pro races by 8 minutes you should not be in the "semi-pro" category. The short-track went a little better and I managed to finish 9th.

Yes I'm wearing booties because it is muddy.

Even the pros hiked the climb.

After Mount Snow, we stopped in Wilmington to score some sweet Vermont t-shirts. I didn't find a great t-shirt but I did get a sweet picture:

The next day we went in to NYC for the day. I will never live in New York City. We commuted in with a friend from New Jersey. It rained the entire day and was miserable and cold. I'm not sure why but the rain has seemed to follow us this entire trip.

New York City... wahoo

After the city we drove to North Carolina. New York/New Jersey drivers are absolutely out of their minds. They drive up on your ass at about 90 miles per hour and then when you get over to let them by they don't pass. My theory is that they drive fast as long as someone is right in front of them so they don't get pulled over. The highlight of the road trip to day was hearing a guy with a New Jersey accent yelling at someone else: "F@#k you you f@#king f@#k". The rythm and accent the guy put into it really sounded incredible.

Next stop is Sugar Mountain. The forecast is for rain all week.

Who-hey

2007-07-24T17:08:00.000-05:00

Who-Hey whooped it up at Nationals with a strong 22nd place. Look for an update with pictures from him here soon. What is up with the blue tooth headsets? If you walk into someplace yapping on one of those you look like a moron. Have fun, IAN

2007-07-20T21:31:00.000-05:00

Well I just returned from Salt Lake City where I attended the 2008 launch of Specialized bicycles. They are pretty rad. The '08 FSR and Safire a really cool. Total balance in the suspension and sweet curvy lines. All in all really good product. SLC was hot. Skin burning off of your body hot and Park City was hot. But the riding there was awesome fun drops and long, long climbs. Thats it. IAN

2007-07-12T19:57:00.000-05:00

Today was a much better day then yesterday. Friday the thirteenth tomorrow, Larry will be hiding in his house. The niner is all fixed up minus the mud all over it but the creaking is gone. Going on a ride with cookie in the morning and that should be fun. IAN

2007-07-11T20:41:00.000-05:00

today sucked....

2007-07-10T22:03:00.000-05:00

The story of the day today was wind. Wind on the morning ride before work and on the ride to work making it a total slog as opposed to a pleasure, and wind inside the store most likely a side effect of the hard morning ride. Oh that is life in the shop, triflow, pledge and dirty air. IAN

2007-07-09T21:33:00.001-05:00

Well at least two lovely ladies showed up for tonights very first womens only monday night ride. Come on ladies lets do this right, I want to see a lot of you out on that trail at 6p.m. on Monday night with a cooler full of beer waiting for you afterwards. Thanks Cat and Marcy for showing up. IAN

2007-07-08T21:51:00.001-05:00

Here are some more photos of the ride today. The water pic is of the river trail that now fits its name because there is a river on the river trail. IAN

2007-07-08T20:23:00.003-05:00

Cookie, Who Hey and I went on a single speed ride today. Cookie and I were on our ss cross bikes who hey was on the niner. Mike had a minor issue with some nachos consumed prior to the ride and who hey just had to wait for Mike and I even after he had already been riding for two hours before meeting up with us. Here are a few photos from the adventure today in the swamp formally known as Cameron Park. IAN

2007-07-07T21:38:00.001-05:00

Today was the first sunny day in a long time and it was awesome. Just got back from Bogarts and had some weird gin and tonic/ smirnoff watermelon drink (you may chuckle here at my lack of masculinity) with cookie and his significant other Carlina. Also had dinner with skinny runner boy and his roommate ( another skinny runner boy) and skinny runner boys dad at the big green grasshopper. Good evening with good speaks and good eats. Anyway back to cycling, the Tour de France started today with the prologue in London. Who would of thought the the world time trial champion would of won? A little anti climactic, but Georgie H was third so that was good. Anyway mtn. bike ride tomorrow at 5 p.m. from here. IAN
p.s. I have made an error in this post that was noticed by someone. In addition to the above mentioned people, my beautiful and loving wife Cat was also at dinner and Bogarts. I guess her drink mixing abilities caused me to have a lapse in memory when the post was written. IAN

2007-07-06T17:35:00.000-05:00

I have to say that my punk rock child Sophie has given herself a pretty awesome haircut. It is mostly shaved in the front and cut short on one side. She will grow up to be PFR and that is so cool. IAN

2007-07-06T17:32:00.000-05:00

The end of year sale is on. Even though it is just halfway through 2007 the 2008 models are coming. So come on down and get a great deal on a 2007 bicycle. All bikes in the store that have red tags on them are on sale. IAN

2007-07-05T17:51:00.000-05:00

There will now be a womens only mountain bike ride every Monday night from Miss Nellies Pretty Place starting at 6p.m. For more info call Catherine Moore at 254 753 1625 or Bicycles Outback 254 772 2453. IAN

2007-07-04T20:50:00.000-05:00

Even after 20 some years of riding mountain bikes I am still amazed at how a good dirty mud ride can make your day. IAN

2007-07-02T18:49:00.000-05:00

Mike's number One
Wow, single speeding... right... are you trying to be some kind of tough guy? This is usually the response I get from people who only ride multi- geared when they happen to look down at my bike. It's not about being macho, although it can lead to an upturned nose towards geared bikes. It's not about being a hard ass, it is just about challenging yourself and having fun.
(Off the subject of single speeding) East Texas is beautiful... There are great riding opportunities. If you haven't been to Tyler State Park, you should try it. The trails are short but sweet.
I didn't ride there this weekend. I played golf. I shot twenty one over par on a par three course. I did donuts in a gas powered golf cart and got it to backfire.
Just for future reference, most of my posts will be pointless thoughts and rants. Nobody but us reads this shit anyway.
Love,
Mike

2007-06-29T21:08:00.000-05:00

There was an article written recently on 63xc.com about how singlespeeding is dead. Read it and come to your own conclusion but ere are my few words on the issue. Singlespeeding when born was born out of fun and the need to expand the sport to the few users who had done what they wanted to do and needed something new. I began ss'ing in the fall of 1993 and I have watched it rise and now (maybe) fall. I was captivated by the simplicity of it and the silence of the bike. I was also in love with the fact that you had to try hard and you had to think as you rode. It to me was a new and beautiful sport. Then after many years of that I rode my way into fixed off road (ballet) ss'ing. My thought on the fall of ss'ing was when the lycra clad racers took it over as cool. But all in all I would have to say that those who are in the sport for pure reasons and have a desire to stay single will. The sport will not die because the few and the hardy will keep chugging up those hills in blissful silence. IAN

2007-06-26T18:54:00.000-05:00

All 2007 Specialized Rockhoppers and HR XC bikes that we have in stock are now on SALE. Also all road bikes are on sale. IAN

2007-06-20T09:17:00.000-05:00

So far this year Waco has recieved over 34" of rainfall. Everyday it rains. The park is a mess and is unridable. Mike decided the other day that it is time to dedicate himself to road riding for the summer. Now coming from a hardcore single speed guy that is pretty serious. We were also wondering what happened to the worms in the park? They seem top have been replaced by spiders? Did the spiders eat the worms? Does anyone know the answer to this? IAN

2007-06-18T21:48:00.001-05:00

So we have been doing a little expanding at the shop over the past few months and we are almost finished. Thanks to all of our customers for being patient during the expansion. Come on in and enjoy the shop. IAN

2007-06-18T21:45:00.000-05:00

Well this is the blog formally known as blogginian, otherwise known as Ians blog. It is now the official Bicycles Outback blog for all things bloggable. So the author may be Ian, Mike, Larry, John or Car Bomb. Look for all things related to the shop here. News, updates on events or just random junk. IAN

2007-06-14T22:32:00.000-05:00

Santa Cruz rocked. Doug E myself and a scrappy older guy did westridge and it comletely reaffirmed my love for the mountain bike. Not that the love of the bike ever was down, but after a ride like that there was no way for it to be down. Signed us up to do anouther couple of events this year. Oh well, its what we do. Its raining again so the jungle otherwise known as Cameron Park can grow a little more. I

2007-05-21T19:32:00.000-05:00

We leave for Santa Cruz in two days. WooHooo. Went on a ride this morning and it looked like I was webbed by spiderman. The spiders are back but I have no idea where the silk worms are, maybe in the spiders? Kiddos finish school in two days as well and a long long summer starts. Life is good as it should be, riding is good, work is good and all in all everything is good. We hired a new guy at the shop and his first day was today. He is a runner and a cyclist and all around bad ass athlete. I dont think i will ever challenge him to a foot race. I

2007-05-15T14:04:00.000-05:00

so i got this sweet new ride two weeks ago. i rode it about three times and was loving it. fast, smooth, fun, everything you want in a bike. then i crashed it and ruined my front wheel. so i waited for the parts to show up to builds some new wheels. they showed up and i built the wheels and now the bike is even sweeter then before and i have been sick since. crap...... I

2007-05-14T17:22:00.000-05:00

I ruined cats mothers day by being sickly all weekend. oh well someday i will make it up to her. going to Santa Cruz in two weeks. I

2007-05-05T19:32:00.000-05:00

some days the noise of children is unbearable. they must have eardrums that do not register noise like adults. i tried to ride the secret trail on the way home today but it was blocked, so i had to ride through a wedding to get back out to the road. I

2007-05-04T21:20:00.000-05:00

so i lied. i have not blogged in a while. been a little busy, bike races, shop expansion, life. you know all this and that as carbomb would say " whatnot" . anyway, i built up a new bike today and it is sweet. niner one 9 all cool and stuff. it is fast and smooth. 29ers have come a long way since the monster bike project at bontrager. all is well here in waco. muggy and hot. we are trying to plan our summer vacation to the santa cruz and it keeps morphing around. detour to so cal and a detour to colorado. those are a few long detours, i would rather be sitting in zacary's drinking coffee and eating a mikes mess. or riding off the back side of the uni. this will be really great. see you later........ I

2007-04-19T09:14:00.000-05:00

Well after quite the vacation from blogging here I am. It has been a long week. The shop has grown the past month or so and now we have the room we needed. The Bicycles Outback Blowout is this weekend and I see rain in its future. My stress levels are rising because of this. Not so much because the it is more work to set up and clean up and stand around in the rain all weekend, but mainly because I feel for the trails. I don't ride on them when it is raining and I do not want to have a bunch of racers on it either but..... You know the rest. Anyway, whay are people so stupid. We spend countless hours each year walking around that damn course putting arrows on the trees for the race and some dumb ass comes along and tears them off. I wish I knew the reason for this stupidity. I mean come on is it really that fun to tear a paper arrow of a damn tree. Can't you come up with some better way to spend you time? Mikey C did a stoppy on a copper head the other day and we sat there like dumasses throwing rocks at the thing to get it off the trail. We do suck at throwing rocks though so it did not move. Well Now that my vacation is over I wil write more. I

2007-02-02T20:18:00.000-06:00

I am doing a 12 hour mountain bike race tommorow with three other people. I have a bike dilema that I think I have solved but my wifey thinks I am crazy. I want to ride the il pompino with a freewheel instead of fixed and fat tires because when I ride it my knee doesn't hurt. I figure that I may (may) loose a little time in the rough stuff with this bike but because my knee won't hurt I will be able to pedal. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I love the pompino. It rips. It is like butter on the trails and with the H bars it is perfect. I think I will ride the pompino. Cat has only won the race at Warda a few times anyway and is an old pro on the bike so what does she know? Famous last words. I will write from the La Grange ER tommorow. I

2007-01-16T21:18:00.000-06:00

It has been a long time since the last rant so here i am. It is cold. Very very cold. All of you in the north stop your bitching about how we in texas are a bunch of babies. mid twenties, in the teens with windchill and frozen rain. It is cold. Cat finished her montessori project today and fed exed it. All done. Thank god. Now all I have to contend with is milions of little wooden things like the brown rods, or is it the pink box? I

2006-12-05T12:08:00.000-06:00

Why is it that people have to speed through parking lots. SLOW DOWN IT IS NOT DAYTONA. Then they act like asses about their problem. Mike has problems today. there are all sorts of noises coming out of him. I

2006-12-01T21:42:00.000-06:00

So the day I write something about my wife, she does not read my blog. Nor does she tell em that i need to blog or anything to do with it..... I

2006-12-01T12:46:00.000-06:00

I need to give a shout out to my wife. It is her bday and she is still rockin. Hope you had a great day and that you feel wiser but not older. I

2006-11-30T17:08:00.000-06:00

it is cold. so very very cold. the wind is howling and the ice is staying put. texas is not cold? come here today and you will know better. whohey did not ride this morning, he chose to wait and suffer later today. I

2006-11-30T09:54:00.000-06:00

It is cold. Very very cold. Who-hey is riding his cx bike this morning, dumbass... I

2006-11-29T11:47:00.000-06:00

They did not catch the dude who drove on the trails yesterday. He got away, buck naked and crazy. I

2006-11-28T21:03:00.000-06:00

Some idiot drove his truck on the trails today. Let me see here, they are small singletrack trails, with lots of trees and rocks. Hmmmm. I think this is a brillant idea! Lets go kill nature! Way to go buddy... I

2006-11-28T11:05:00.000-06:00

I want a Harry Potter phone, that when I am pissed at the person on the other end a magical hand appears out of their phone with my middle finger up in the air. My dad used to call flipping someone off the asshole meter. It went up a lot driving around la where we grew up. Went on a spin with cookie today on the cx bikes. It was nice and mellow a great way to start the day. When we got to the shop mc took the shot of 5 hour energy and now he is on fire. What I really want is a helicopter. I think that way I could go do really cool things at the drop of a hat. Oh yeah, I will go to Moab or Fruita. Sure Zachary's for breakfast? No problem. It wont happen, unless Blaggo and I can really come up with a million dollar idea, I really think the nut warmers will be it. I

2006-11-26T18:37:00.000-06:00

Dar Dar did it. In one day she learned how to ride her bike without training wheels. She has been off and riding ever since. It is so rad. Now we need to get the lil downhiler going without the training wheels. Life is good. Tday was great, a little wine alittle turkey and a night ride on the cx bike. Today i am a little under the weather but I hope riding tommorow morning will blow it all out of my head. We will see. We were hiking today and Soph asked me to pull her finger in the middle of the hike. She then proclaimed she farrrrrted 40 times, good thing she knows that trick, it should keep preschool interesting. I

2006-11-08T11:13:00.000-06:00

Coffee is lovely. It makes the world seem a little less fuzzy. It is November but it feels like March outside and it is great. Short sentences are my friend today. My brain seems to be fried. I need to ride my bike again today. The roger is treating me well. I

2006-10-12T22:45:00.000-05:00

There need to be days that are called "Tell it like it is day" Either Blagg or Zissou came up with this idea and today I decided that it needs to happen. Kind of like taco Tuesday at the taco shack, it will just exist and work out. Tell itl like it is Tuesday. Hey sir your bike is an absolute turd and you should shove it up your wahoo instead of spending 30 minutes of my time berating me about how I broke it. You know what just go F yourself buddy, it is tell it like it is tuesday. But no, it shall never be, oh well we can all dream and anybody who is in any form of customer service knows this to be true.... I

2006-10-11T08:31:00.000-05:00

Why on earth do people merge onto the highway at 35mph? Is there any logic to this at all? Do they have a death wish for themselves and the others behind them. Push down on the skinny pedal and move it people. I

2006-10-06T20:46:00.000-05:00

I built up the stupidist bike I have ever had he pleasure of building today. It is Larrys old Nishiki TT bike with a 24" front wheel and a 700c rear wheel. It now has a 26" front wheel one sped one brake and it looks very, very odd. It is however very, very fun to ride and it moves fast. The lil chikas are crazy, we made telescopes today and then they turned them into cannons. Oh well I can try. Soph crashed her scooter and ended up with a dinged up face. Sunday I can ride again after the tandem mishap put a slight crack in the collarbone. The good thing about the crash is that Blaggo finally started his film career up again with a short film about the flippo, I think Josh may still be laughing. Some final good news that I know is that there will be anouther mountain biker coming to CP in May..... I

2006-09-29T16:37:00.000-05:00

I have just returned from Vegas and I have had an epiphany. Vegas is like Disneyland except Snowwhite is a slut and the seven dwarfs are her pimps. It is dirty and nasty and all around gnarly. I

2006-09-13T21:08:00.000-05:00

It is common knowledge that when you fart, burp and sneeze at the the same time you will implode. It is a fact of life and so therefore you simply do not try it. I wish that people would have the same fear of smoking, talking on a cell phone and driving. Although if you did implode the resulting loss of control of a driverless vehicle would be horrible. I guess the fact that the people who do this can hardly drive anyway there would not be a huge difference. It has been a hard week. Soph had her tonsils and adnoids out so she is at home this week, Dar is mad because Soph is getting a lot of attention. Cat is fine. Just fine. We hired a new guy his name is either Irish or Lucky, we have yet to decide. All in all life is good, been riding the MUSS fixed this week off road and it is a god send, so fun so pure and sweet. I

2006-08-15T15:38:00.000-05:00

"I like it when you burp and it smells like hot dogs." Mike Cook- August 15, 2006 3:34p.m.

We are adults. Really we are I swear it. This is not a blog of small children who look like adults. I rode this morning and hit a tree and it hurt so I went home. As the immortal (and now missing Dave-o) would say "The bio rhythems are off" Oh well.. I