New Hayes Brakes

Although I have had these on for all summer I was waiting for a while until I wrote about them, in an attempt to be fair. The reason being is at first I hated them. And for many reasons; I had issues with the install (which a shop I used to work at added them) them felt like crap and the rotor was rubbing if you didn't keep a straight line. After a few months and many rides later, i am happy to report they have broken in and are running really well. I do have a few concerns like there is no micro adjust or any way to fine tune these on the fly but that and the slight increased weight are the only draw backs. The carbon fiber handle and chrome make them look just tits!!

Bliss Woods Ride

Its already late in the season and I really needed a little adventure. With the Batavia Spur of the Prairie Path a wreck with construction of the new off ramps, there were not many options for a medium range uncharted territories ride.

Heading South along the Fox River sits a little gem of a ride. The Virgil Gilman Trail cut thru Aurora, along the Blackberry Creek to Sugar Grove. There is beautiful valley right before Bliss Woods that reminded me of Vermont or Rhode Island.

Butterfly House

There is a nature center on a ride from my folks house out in Geneva. The pond area and grounds are cool but the gravy is at the ButterFly House. Here are a few highlights from inside.

Sweet Little River Section

The perfect day for fishing. Storm clouds in the background and in the mid to upper 70's, a light breeze to keep the bugs away also was nice. This is the second time Chuck and I have fished this area, but I did some recumbent recon the week before based on a Google earth viewing of the river, and found that there was an even better spot than our previous visit.
We normally drop on on the lower left of the pictures, its an easy crossing that most people don't make to fish the islands, cuts and eddies. But based on the satellite viewing we might be even better with an approach from the North.

The river is at a good level for wade fishing, still fast but shallow enough for full access to all spots on the river.
Within the first 5 casts Charlie already had a Smallmouth on the line. Smaller in size but very well fed and fat!!
White beetle spin with the large lead colored head, silver blade. Go figure!
I hooked up in a tight pool with 2 downed trees on each side. Two nice jumps and he spit the hook. (Caught a rock, yes a rock earlier which dulled the hook point) About the same size as Charlies first and I had on a 2-tail black beetle spin with a silver oval blade. Am thinking that willow blades with gold hammering might be good, also plastic worms with a cone lead head. Next time.
zero hits on fly, threw a popper - flog pattern with rubber pan legs. Good river coverage with the 9wt rod and larger flies.