My name is Mitch Raymer. I am an author, small publisher and avid bicycle enthusiast. Two of my biggest interests are:
Getting healthy through bicycling.
This is what my blog is about (and a few other things along the way.) Take a look around. If you have any questions, contact me. My newest post is below.
Your Brother In The Word
Mitch
Hi Gang...
Well, DK and I have been in our new house for about 9 weeks and we love it. Location is great (for us) and the house is a dream. I posted a couple pics of the outside a while back. So, I thought I would share a few pics of the inside.
This is our hearthroom - first thing you see when you come inside.
That's the ceiling. The builder, Mike Dobbs, embedded a 9 foot antique door in the masonry. Amazing.
This is our kitchen.
This is one corner of my new office.
This is part of my action figure collection.
This is our "Zeeba" bathroom - the artistic touch of a previous owner. DK hates it. LOL Me? I'm trying to embrace it!
This is my best bud, Sam, the day he realized the house was cool. Before that, he spent all his time hiding in the closet.
Thanks for all the prayer for the move itself. It went as smooth as a move will go.
Your Brother in the Word -
Mitch
DROP DEAD GORGEOUS DAY.
Sunday was a drop dead gorgeous day here in the Ozarks and I had a huge dilema. Well, it wasn't that huge. I guess it wasn't even big. To tell the truth, I guess it wasn't even a dilema. To pedal or paddle. That was the question. I have done both in a day, but Sunday I wanted to commit to one or the other.
Like most of the rest of you, we've been battling a torrent of HEAT & HUMIDITY this July, alternating with bucketfuls of rain (several inches an hour.) That wasn't the case Sunday; we had a high of 82 and a light south breeze kept the humidity at bay. In other words, it was a Perfect Summer Day!
After much debating (about 2 minutes) I headed to the lake. (You see, self-debating is not much fun; well, at least not for me.) This made my wife, DK, happy for she was in shutter bug mode and wanted to get away from the computer and her writing for the day.
So, between my kayaking and DK's shutter bugging, we have a few pictures to share. DK helped me launch at the Southwood Launch sight, then drove around to Springfield Dam to take a walk and then pick me up.
I went up stream on the James River for about a mile, then turned south and headed down the river to Springfield Lake. From there, I turned further south to the access point by the dam.
DK's pics start as I was heading to the access point by the dam, and follow me through loading my 13" Riot Voyager on top of the Tracker. I hope you enjoy DK's pics because I sure enjoyed the paddle.
Keep pedaling or paddling... which ever you choose.
God Bless -
Mitch
Hi Gang -
Even though I'm still riding between 30 and 60 miles a week, the rain has been a tad overwhelming this year. Like many of you, we have experienced record rainfall and flooding here in SW MO. Our new house is high and dry, thank God, but my riding trails have seen lots of damage.
So this summer, along with peddling, I've started paddling. After much research and long discussions with friends who kayak, I found a used 13 foot Riot Voyager. This is supposed to be a great beginner kayak that one can grow into. It's kind of a hybrid touring ride, as comfortable on small streams and rivers as it is on the lake.
I've been out in it a half dozen times and I find it a great workout, like biking. As you tell by the pics, it's blue and white. I'll give you all the specs in my next post and as I get more at ease in this new seat, I'll share some of my thoughts on this new (to me) water sport.
Your Brother in the Word
Mitch
Hi gang -
Sorry it has been a while since my last post. As many of you may know, we moved about 6 weeks ago. In this post I'm going to share the big picture; later I'll come back and fill in with more info and details.
I lost my father about a year and a half ago. Since then my sister, my wife and I have been looking after my mother. We moved her closer to us and into a very nice retirement apartment complex.
She was doing very well for over a year... then she decided she no longer required her blood pressure meds. She quit taking them. (No, she didn't tell us.) Needless to say, she had a stroke this Spring and now has dementia. That necessitated our move. I'm now 10 minutes away from her instead of an hour and 10 minutes.
We are settling into our new house and our new life in town. Our next big event is my sister's wedding July 4th. I'm doing the ceremony.
After the wedding I'll be back, sharing about my cycling, writing (I'm working on 2 new books) kayaking (I've just started) our new digs - and I promise to post tons of pics. God has been by my side through it all, and I'll share about that too.
Below is one pic of my new endeavor... my very own "Cool Change."
Your Brother in the Word
Mitch
This bike is also a Motobecane Fantom 29, the second 29er. It’s a 19” frame for those wanting a little larger bike. Our next bike will be a 20”.
Here are the specs:
01 Frame |
Motobecane 29er |
02 Fork |
Rock Shox Metro |
03 Crankset/Bottom Bracket |
Shimano De4ore FC 540 |
04 Cassette/Freewheel |
Shimano LX CS-M580 |
05 Shifters |
Shimano XT m750 Rapid Fire |
06 Front Derailleur |
Shimano XT FD-M761 |
07 Rear Derailleur |
Shimano XT RD-M761 |
10 Headset |
Cane Creek S-6 Black |
11 Pedals |
Bulletproof BMX |
13 Seat Post |
Bontrager Race X Carbon |
14 Handlebar |
Bontrager Race X Carbon |
16 Stem |
Bontrager Race Lite 120mm |
18 Brakes |
Hayes MX4 160mm Disc |
19 Brake Levers |
Tektro |
Other Stuff |
Skewer - Spacers |
Tires |
Schwalbe Big Apple |
Wheels |
Bontrager Ranger Disc |
We’ve had several folks test ride the Fantom 29 and they loved it. A few of our test riders said they would like a little cushier ride, so I went with a Metro Rock Shock fork on this one. I’ll tell you, it sure takes away the jarring you get on rougher roads. I still feel it takes away from acceleration, but I guess it’s all a matter of choice. I will be going with another Metro Fork on our next bike, plus a shocked seat post for those looking for a more comfort ride. That’s the neatest thing about the “Urban Prodigy” - you can do almost whatever you want.
This bike has all the performance of the first 29er, it’s just a tad less stiff.
I did an 18 mile ride Monday with 2 pals from Springfield. The 3 of us are all in our early 50s and in pretty good shape.
One of my buddies was on his year-old Giant hybrid comfort bike; the other was on his older Trek MT bike. They are both great bikes, but neither could keep pace with me, so I slowed down and just enjoyed the ride. We were going to do 20 miles but after 15 my buddy on the Trek was about all in, so we cut 2 miles off the last leg. Back at the trail head they had both ridden all they wanted that day. I was a little disappointed because I was ready to put a few more miles in.
These guys ride just as well as me – heck, one of them is better than me.
They want to meet with me next week to talk about getting an “Urban Prodigy” for themselves.
If you’ve outgrown that hybrid or your old mountain bike is just not quite the ride you’re looking for, it’s time to get your hands on an “Urban Prodigy.”
Our price on this bike is $1399.00. So if you’re interested LMK.
Late Easter night, I told everyone the first “Urban Prodigy” was ready to go.
Now the second “Urban Prodigy” is ready to hit the road, followed closely by a third.
This second bike is also a Motobecane; it’s the Fantom 29. Yes, that is right - a 29er just as I promised. This is one SWEET RIDE. It’s a 17.5” frame for those mid-sized riders.
Here are the specs:
01 Frame |
My Motobecane 29er |
02 Fork |
New Origin 8 29er |
03 Crankset/Bottom Bracket |
Bontrager Race Crank |
04 Cassette/Freewheel |
SRAM 950 |
05 Shifters |
Shimano XT m750 Rapid Fire |
06 Front Derailleur |
Shimano XTR |
07 Rear Derailleur |
Shimano XT |
10 Headset |
Chrsi King Silver |
11 Pedals |
KINK TRANSITION WELLGO |
12 Saddle |
Bontrager Race |
13 Seat Post |
Bontrager Race X Carbon |
14 Handlebar |
Bontrager Race X Carbon |
16 Stem |
Bontrager Race Lite 110mm |
18 Brakes |
Avid BB5 |
19 Brake Levers |
Tektro RS360A |
Tires |
Schwalbe Big Apple |
Wheels |
Bontrager Race Lite |
As you can see, there’s no skimping here. Most parts are OEM. I took this bike for a test ride on the county road behind Craig’s shop and I didn’t want to come back. With the Big Apple’s you don’t miss the shocks; these tires more then make up for that, but still roll like a street ride and they corner like they were made of glue. I also really like the New Origin 8 : 29" Black Ops Blade Chromoly Steel fork. It sure absorbs what little the tires miss.
As you can see from the pics (above and below) this bike is definitely a head turner.
Our price on this one will be $1499.00. If you’re interested LMK.
This great little video, produced in the UK, is used to test a driver's ability to detect surprise objects - particularly bicyclists. Do The Test. It's pretty cool - and I have NOT met anyone yet who passed it the first time through. Thanks, Cathy, for the video.
Well, the first “Urban Prodigy” is ready to go.
If two skinny tires and dropdown handlebars are not your thing… if you’re not hitting those rough mountain trails but you find that a hybrid or comfort bike is a tad too tame… and you’re not wanting the typical commuter, then we have an answer!!! The “Urban Prodigy”.
If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that Craig (bike guru and owner of Downhill Bikes in Branson, MO) and I have been working on this project all winter. I’m happy to announce we have the first bike ready to go.
We thought that regular cycling Joes - like you and I - should have the option of a performance ride and still have the stability that is sometimes lost with a racing bike.
We start with a topnotch mountain bike frame and go from there. Most but not all Urban Prodigies (IE our very first bike) will be built on a 29er frame. We then throw in OME high-end components and add the stopping ability of disk brakes. When all is said and done you have one very sharp Urban Ride… hence the name “Urban Prodigy.” These bikes are made for the vigorous trials of most pot-hole filled roads, uneven sidewalks and curbs, and biking trails that sometimes are not too friendly. They are made for fun, speed, stability, and all rate high in the eye candy category.
Even though our first bike started with the stunning 26er polished aluminum Motobecane 700ht 19" frame, make no mistake - this bike was built around the Maxxis Hookworm 2.5" tires.
Maxxis Hookworm: “The original urban assault tire, designed to take the abuses of the most aggressive street riders. Huge air volume softens the drops, while the inverted tread design makes rolling resistance minimal. Bead-to-bead tread provides durability and traction whether you're dropping staircases, grinding rails, or riding in your local skatepark.”
The write-up above is just one of many on this tire. I was so enthralled with this tire I knew it was going to have to go on at least one of our Urban Prodigies. The only down side is it’s not made in a 29er, so our first bike is a 26er.
Here are the specs:
01 Frame |
Motobecane 700ht 19" |
02 Fork |
SR Suntour MG90 |
03 Crankset/Bottom Bracket |
Race Face XC Crank/FSA ISIS BB |
04 Cassette/Freewheel |
Shimano LX HG70 |
05 Shifters |
Shimano XT m750 Rapid Fire |
06 Front Derailleur |
Shimano XT FD-M751 |
07 Rear Derailleur |
Shimano XT RD-M761 |
10 Headset |
intergraded cane creek |
11 Pedals |
Truvativ Pedals |
12 Saddle |
Velo VL-1162 |
13 Seat Post |
Trans X |
14 Handlebar |
Zoom Lite Silver |
16 Stem |
Ritchey Comp Lite |
17 Tape/Grip |
Serfas Gel Grips</ |
