Tune Talks Vol. #1 - Kobe Thompson's Merlin Cielo

Tune Talks Vol. 1: Kobe Thompson

When I picked the blog back up last month after a full season of ultra training, I knew I needed something to write about -- just anything. 

The best idea I had was to create a jumble of my favorite things together in one written piece: looking at cool bikes, helping people with bike mechanics, and getting to know how cycling has had positive impacts on peoples' lives -- like it has on my own.

So I introduce to you: Tune Talks.

This will be a monthly piece, so stay tuned for the next in about ~30 days.

When I conjured up the idea, I also knew exactly who I wanted to talk to first and the exact bike I wanted to get my grubby hands on.

Here's my Tune Talk with Little 500 cyclist, Novus cycling team member, and ultra endurance athlete - Kobe Thompson:

    When I reviewed these photos after the tune talk, I thought "this guy knows exactly what he's doing."

 

Behind a disorder of shrubs and trees near Harrodsburg, IN, I sped down a gravel driveway eager to set up shop and start working away on my first tune talk -- I knew the bike I'd be working on was a "holy grail" bike, and that the guy I'd be talking to was going to have great stories to tell.  

My eagerness to work on the bike turned into the feeling of serenity: the sun was setting behind the foliage of leaves, animals happily chewed at the green grass on the ground below them, and Kobe Thompson greeted me with bare feet and hair down, surrounded by all of the livestock he helps raise -- it was all so incredibly serene.

Second to greet me at the farm was "Turkey Turkey," a single-winged grumpy bird who was like the body guard of the livestock -- he made sure I was not a threat to the other animals.

After Turkey Turkey allowed me to pass on to the property, I made sure to grab some photos of Kobe and his beautiful bike before the sun set.

. . .

    Here's Kobe's Merlin Cielo:

The Merlin Cielo frames have carbon tubes and titanium lugs. The carbon tubes and ti. lugs are glued together; it's an entirely cold process. Also seen near the junction are some cool designs. Cielos are best known for their beautiful hand-engravements. 

Kobe's Cielo is outfitted with full stock components, including the 10spd Dura-Ace 7800 shifters, brakes, and front/rear derailleurs -- a groupset of high quality like this is fitting for such a legendary frame.

The Merlin Cielo standard Dura-Ace version (there is a Probuild version with full Dura-Ace) comes stock with FSA SL-K Carbon cranks.

The Cielo comes stock with Ultegra 6600 brake calipers, chain, and cassette.

Kobe holding his Merlin Cielo and his goat named "Taco," (Some would say there are two goats pictured here)! Other components on the bike not listed above are: RealDesign wheels and fork, Fizik Aliante saddle, Shimano 105 SPD pedals, FSA SL-K carbon seatpost, and Cane Creek headset bearings.

I gave Kobe's bike a bath, indexed the gears, and tightened the bolts. Finally, I waxed the titanium lugs -- Pledge furniture polish does a fantastic job (it's a staple in the ti-bike community).

Not only does Kobe own a legendary bike in the Cielo -- the bike comes with a very cool backstory: it once belonged to Bloomington legend David Tanner. 

. . .

Dave was a swimmer at IU in his younger days, and continued to thrive in town through coaching swim, professing, and helping others in numerous ways. He coached the Thompson family for many years -- including Kobe's dad when he was younger.

Dr. Tanner aided others in research on the topics of "high altitude physiology, ventilatory mechanics, sports nutrition, swimming physics, and ventilatory motor performance," as shown on the memoriam piece on Tanner from IU swim. Dave passed away in May of 2020 to Lymphoma.

Tanner also participated in many ultra endurance competitions, such as Ironman triathlon, the Swim Around Manhattan, and the Race Across America (RAAM). 

Much like the man who owned the Cielo before, Kobe also has a knack for ultra endurance sports.

. . .

In October of 2020, Kobe attempted to swim across the English Channel -- a treacherous swim between England and France with near-freezing air temperatures and countless stinging jellyfish. 

To make the already difficult task even more so, the governing body that oversees English Channel crossing attempts (CSA) does not allow artificial buoyancy aids -- like wetsuits or neoprene -- and only allows standard swimsuits such as speedos and jammers for men. Traditionally, they allow the use of grease like petroleum jelly and lanolin to protect the athletes from chafing. 

The equipment allowed is very minimal in order to keep the historical integrity of the event -- the first swimmer to cross did so in 1875, and did not have access to the modern wetsuits and swimsuits of today.

Kobe standing with his father prior to jumping in the freezing cold water. He's greased up with some petroleum/lanolin to prevent chafing.

Kobe began his English Channel attempt on Oct. 12, 2020. He originally planned to tackle the crossing a month earlier in September, but harsh weather forced a postponement. Kobe would still face challenges with the weather in his October attempt -- seeing 40 degree air temperatures and water temps of 57 degrees. 

Though deterred by the freezing water, Kobe willingly jumped off of the boat and began swimming across the channel. Within seconds of jumping in the water, he knew that the 10-20 hour task might be cut short.

 

"As soon as I jumped in, I looked up and saw everyone wearing big coats and hats, and I wanted that," he said.

Freezing temperatures along with heavy aerobic demands had adverse effects on Kobe's body, including hypothermia.

"My hips cramped badly and my fingers bent sideways. The captain of the boat said 'that's normal, that's what happens when you get hypothermia.'" 

Don't be fooled by the pretty sunrise and calm waters -- it was a chilly 57 degrees in the water, and a 40-degree air temperature.

After two hours of swimming through the freezing cold English Channel, Kobe decided that he would have to tackle the crossing in the future.

 

"Eventually after two hours, I was hurting so bad. I was like 'I need to get out,' and finally my dad said 'okay.'"

Not wanting to feel empty after leaving the task of swimming the English Channel uncompleted, Kobe and his dad talked in their England hotel room about trying their hand at something similar.

Kobe eventually redeemed himself with a 22 mile swim across Lake Monroe in May of that coming Spring.

The attempt would start at Salt Creek boat ramp on the West side of the lake and end at the Crooked Creek boat ramp on the West side. Following behind in a canoe was Kobe's dad, who was eventually joined by his mother halfway through the crossing.

The first 10 miles was "smooth as butter," described by Kobe. It took him three hours to reach the halfway point -- half the time it took Kobe when he swam 10 miles at age 15. He stopped at the causeway for a short break.

"My whole body was cold, and I was cramping up," he said. "Luckily, my grandpa was there and gave me some prunes and it completely woke me up. I told my dad, 'I think I can keep going.'"

After six hours, Kobe discovered he had veered off the intended route, and had to backtrack one or two miles.

Towards the end of Kobe's crossing, the open reservoir turned into a swamp -- he had to weave through trees and heavy brush. Eventually, Kobe made it out of the swamp and into a narrow channel, which led him to the end of the crossing -- Crooked Creek boat ramp. He successfully crossed Lake Monroe.

In total, the swim took nine hours, including off-course deviation.

Kobe's dad also swam across Monroe in his earlier days, with a time of nine hours and 40 minutes, meaning Kobe beat his dad's time by 40 minutes.

Currently, Kobe has a slight urge to pursue Ironman triathlon now that he has experience in both long-course swimming and cycling. For now though, most of the time that was once dedicated to swimming is now used to work on the farm and ride with the Novus cycling team.

. . .

After tuning up the Cielo, I asked Kobe to ride it around to ensure that the gears were indexed correctly under torque. I expected him to put on shoes and a helmet, and walk out to the road before riding the bike, but he insisted that he would be fine riding the bike barefoot and on the the property's rough pathways.

Classic Kobe...

Kobe is pretty well-known for leading people out onto the big property. The farm has an area for animals to graze, some beehives, an area for bonfires, and some trails -- one of which leads back into an old underground drainage system for the railway that one passed through the area. Often, he'll greet visitors up on a horse, or with a torch in hand, ready to begin an expedition.

Kobe on his trusty steed "Jenna." He rescued her and another pony from less-than-ideal living conditions

Fellow Novus cycling team member Dorothy Curran-Muñoz remembers the first time Kobe led the team onto the property -- she mentioned that he was wearing a big overcoat, a cowboy hat, and held a torch. 

To me, makes it feel like you're about to star in a real-life Indiana Jones movie.

While testing out the bike and freshly-indexed gears, Kobe lead me to check out the beehives he tends to.

The bees were incredibly tame. Kobe asked if I wanted to "pet" them. (No thanks!)

Along with tending to the animals and bees, Kobe also grows lots of produce on a one-acre plot of land. He grows tomato, cucumber, watermelon, and even has a small orchard.

"I'm honestly just trying to become more sustainable, live off the land, and live a simple and peaceful life."

Following graduation at Indiana University, he hopes to continue working at the farm and plans to sell produce at local farmers markets around Bloomington.

And while he likely won't be riding his bike for nine hours straight, he is training for the Little 500, and uses his Merlin to stay fit, meet new people, and give himself a mental challenge.

You can find Kobe at the track this upcoming Spring, or you might see him around campus in some cowboy attire.

If you read this far -- thanks. I'm on the lookout for the next Tune Talk, so if you have a bike that needs some TLC I'll be happy to help. Shoot me a message on Instagram or stick a comment on this post.

-Joe