Fat City Cycles created some classic bicycles before they folded in 2000. At the top of that heap was their Team Yo Eddy mountain bike. I wanted one of those since the first time I'd laid eyes on a Grello colored one in a bike shop on Pine Street in Seattle but that was before I had much in the way of spending money. The best I could do at the time was a Cannondale. I rode that thing for years and thrashed it so thoroughly it went to the scrap heap as it could no longer be safely ridden. It's replacement was my dream bike: This 1999 (Serotta Built) Yo Eddy I bought in 2001 and built up to my ideal at the time. It was simply beautiful.

Realities have a way of finally getting through to me. That Titanium fork was so flexy it was scary. I started seeing reports of failures so I replaced it with a steel one. This made the bike handle much more precisely. The cool USA mfg'd Precision Billet rear derailluer blew up into 5 pieces 2 summers ago when a stick got caught in it on a trail ride. I have a spare one just like it in the garage but I chose to buy a modern XT to replace it instead, opting to enjoy being able to shift under load and not having to baby it so much as I did with a CNC machined handmade piece of art which is what I consider the Precision Billet to be..

This year I decided to take up a new challenge after being inspired by a friend of mine who earned a Leadville100 belt buckle. He and I are signed up to ride the Cascade 100 MTB race in July. A century on mostly single track with a mountain bike is not comparable to a road Century. MTB'g is more anaerobic and it requires handling skills that I have neglected for many years. My friend convinced me it was time to get suspension so out I went shopping only to find out that technology has marched along leaving things like V-Brakes in their wake. What I ended up doing was having a new disc compatable wheel built up using a White Industries Hub (matches the rear) and mounting it on a New Fox Terralogic fork. First ride yesterday! Even though the bike gained a few pounds it isn't noticeable and it feels well balanced and more stable than ever. I really like how the fork is firm when it needs to be but absorbs rocks and roots without throwing me offline. Now to just get the legs n lungs ready for July. This old bike of mine will be up to the task I am sure!