Equipment

This is what I ride:

Turner DW 5 Spot

I built it up with my choice selections:

Rockshox Revelation 150mm 20mm axle dual air fork, RP23 shock that has been PUSHed.  If you are of light weight custom tuning your suspension will make a GREAT BIG difference in how your  bike handles. Google “PUSH Industries”, spend the $; it is way worth it. My fork has now been PUSHed

Chris King headset, bottom bracket, & hubs. Headset is on 5th bike.

Swiss DT EX 5.00 rims; wheels built at 2 shops along the way

Formula K24 brakes, bigger rotor on front & smaller on back. Seem to stop me.

SRAM drive train w/ twisty shifters.

Fizek saddle

Time ATAC pedals as of May (Had enough of Eggbeaters & Candys) Mud clearance is important as is no unexpected release. Liking the Times.

Tires as of May/2010: 2.2  Specialize Purgatory, ghetto tubeless, running about 25 psi in WVA up from 21 in desert

Specialized shoes for the BG which helps my knees

I document each ride w/ a Garmin Edge 305. I down load the track into Nat Geo Topo for the states I have discs for.

This is what I drive and live in:

2006 Dodge Sprinter mid length high ceiling custom conversion:

I designed the conversion by measuring the inside of the van and laying out those dimensions on the floor & wall of a spare room in my former house. From there I engineered dimensions to maximize interior space. Primary goal was to have a fold down full size sleepable bed. All the pieces fit and my needs are met. The cabinets were made by buddy Don; neighbor Bill laid the tile on galley counter top, installed the cargo box, and helped me put it together plus his knowledge simplified some of my designs;  Van Specialties in Lake Oswego, OR installed the propane and refrigerator; and Sportsmobile in Austin, TX installed a solar panel and 2nd camping battery and answered numerous emails during my conversion.

So far I am satisfied with design except several times I forgot the cutting board / counter extension was left up and I stepped up into hinge holding it up. I have several scars on my bald head.

This is what drivers behind me see:

And this is what I follow:

A raven skull on a turtle shell with a scarab and small hand sewn by Mom sock, an officer leading his men into battle on a hand made coaster by Theresa, a bobble head mtn biker  with a raven feather, a squirting toad and a gecko astride it that I found roadside with a turkey feather.:

I have a Camelback HAWG pack that holds 100 ozs of h2o in a Platypus bladder. New bladders are treated w/ a killing micro organism coating so that no bad water occurs. I can drink old h2o many days later, in fact I just add new to what’s left. This is a large pack that allows luxury of carrying comfort items like a long underwear top, knee warmers, and a rain jacket. This summer, after running out of h2o several times  I moved to the 100 oz  pack.

But now I am back on a 70 oz bladder in the Deuter Race X Lite using their bladder:  top opener w/ a strap to hang the bladder from inside top of pack to keep it in place. Air mesh back almost like a frameless pack.

Also included are:

Topeak Alien ll multitool, tube patch kit w/ fresh glue, self sticking patches, a GOO, Clif bar, chain lube, led flashlight, waterproof matches, pen, spare shoe cleat screw, whistle, toilet paper, plastic garbage bag, tube, multitool pocket knife (overkill but has pliers that multitool lacks), trail food of fig bars, nut mix and dried fruit, usually a trail map or guide, a camera in pack pocket, first aid kit, (my edge 305 has a compass), ( I wear at present a pair of Rudi glasses).

I still ride Pearl Izumi road shorts, No baggies. Smart wool socks.

The new Spot has only the saddle, rear brake, shifters, & cranks from original Spot.

FOR SALE:

Front wheel: Chris King ISO QR 32 hole hub, DT Swiss XR 4.2d rim, all in black: $150

Fox 140mm Float fork, PUSHed for 150lb rider and Turner Spot. $450