Fundraising: I’ve raised $75 so far, plus two pledges of unknown amount. So, with the pledge matching promise I have raised at least $150. The total amount is not reflected on the MS 150 site because some of the pledges were not submitted online. Thanks to all those who have pledged their support. Now back to your normal NPR programming…

Training: So far I can count 74.8 miles towards training for the MS 150. That would be two rides; one this past Sunday, and one the Sunday before. Hmm, that is a little more than 1/3 the total mileage for the tour. I suppose I should be training more. It is not as bad as it sounds. I have just under 1000 miles logged since this spring, and commute everyday. I am not counting my commuter miles towards training. FWIW, I have a little over 50 miles commuting to work for August 1 through August 22.

Repairs: I finally ordered a new crankset and chain for the M2. Somehow a new crankset with integrated bottom bracket for the Gunnar also found its way on the order. The drive-side bottom bracket cup has been cracked on the Gunnar for several months. The M2 is getting a replacement XT crankset, while the Gunnar is getting an FSA Gossamer Cross MegaExo crankset. I am going to try my luck with another SRAM PC-971 chain; hopefully this one won’t explode. The old chain will end up on the singlespeed when the current chain fails.

Ok, so what is the deal with the photo? I don’t have any relevant photos, so this is a Vanagon 2.1 L exhaust system. It is being sold (hopefully) along with my Vanagon in September. Note that the cat and tailpipe are not included in the photo. For those who are interested in Vanagon exhaust systems: Stay away from S&S headers. They are cheap, rust through quickly and are poorly constructed. That is all.

Over a month ago I trashed my rear wheel (with my leg). The leg healed, the wheel did not. So I had the wheel rebuilt. The old wheel was a DT Swiss XR 4.1 rim with straight gauge DT Swiss spokes, an XT hub and a SRAM 990 cassette. The hub and cassette remain, the rest is new. The rim was replaced with another DT Swiss XR 4.1. The spokes are now double-butted black/silver with black bronze nipples. The pattern on this wheel is different than the cross wheel set. This one has silver spokes on the drive side and black on the other.

Those who are observant, or possibly everyone who bothered to look at the above photo, would notice that the wheel is not mounted on a bike. There is a good reason for this. The M2 still needs a new crankset and chain. So, until I get around to replacing both, the M2 will remain stationary. You would think I’d learn after trashing the last set of wheels, drivetrain and fork. Oh well.

In other biking news: The hitch and Yakima Kingpin 4 rack are now installed on the Accord. Here is a slightly amusing shot of Eric and me dropping the exhaust in preparation to mount the hitch. I ended up with a Hidden Hitch model #60953. This hitch mounted without any drilling* into the body or frame rails and looks as nice as a thirty five pound piece of black steel bolted to the bottom of a sedan can look. The V6 models with dual exhaust require the heat shields over the mufflers to modified (with a hole saw) for the mounting hardware. As you can see in the photo, the bumper cover is already notched for a hitch, which is a nice touch. Another benefit is that the overall weight distribution on the Accord should now be 85/15 instead of 90/10.

It is not really that bad, at least the motor has an aluminum block and heads. Since were on the subject, the rear anti-sway bar is about the same diameter as a toothpick. I’m not sure what Honda was going for here, but I’d imagine it was something along the lines of “who cares”. I don’t think this one will ever see an autocross course. How did I get from a GTI 16v to an Accord V6? I have no idea either, I think there was a Jetta VR6, an Acura CL and a Subaru powered Vanagon involved. Oh well. The Accord is actually very entertaining and does not require frequent cooling system maintenance, a steady supply of window regulators or a bilge pump during rain storms. Running 87 octane gasoline is a nice benefit as well.

Real biking news: Eric and I did a training ride last Sunday. Thirty three miles on gravel, 95-100° heat, 2:10 total ride time. The MS 150 will only be 5.7 times longer, so we should be in good shape. And no, my math skills are not as bad as they appear. If you’ll recall, I am doing the 200 mile option. Sorry, no photos. Just imagine a hot, dusty, sunny and crappy gravel trail.

Ok, I’ll spell it out: GIVE ME MONEY! (for our MS150 team)

I am the team captain for team 86753O9 in the 2006 Gateway chapter MS 150 bike tour. For those who are not familiar with the tour: The MS 150 is a fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It involves me, and a lot of other people riding their bikes 80, 150 or 200 miles. Oh yeah, it also involves the support of Klunk Cycles. You may have seen Klunk Cycles mentioned before on my blog. This is good, because Klunk Cycles not only provides new and used bicycles, parts and service, but much appreciated support for our team. The part where you come in is the fundraising. So, you give me money, I ride the bike, both of us feel warm and fuzzy. Got it?

Not convinced yet, eh? Fine, I am going to match any donations I receive with my own money. Thats right, you donate $10, I donate $10. You donate $1000, and I eat mac and cheese for a few months…

Alright, here we go:

• My personal MS 150 website
• The official Team 86753O9 MS 150 website

For those keeping score, I am doing to 200 mile “double century” option. Also, please support our team sponsor, Klunk Cycles. Buy a bike, buy some tires, how about a stylish Klunk t-shirt? Do it.