Like genetics class taught us, it has good looks, lines and stylish Campy carbon like mom. The old but functional square taper bb and matching cranks, pedals that have not seen Tour action since you could wear these , and the tires that are booted with duct tape and shoe goo are just like tightwad, broken old dad. Adding some new dynamics to the family, the carbon steer tube is internally threaded. I am not the best parent because I have no idea what the little one weighs or precise measurements, and it doesn't have a name. But love it none the less because it sleeps through the night and eat chains, cassettes, chain rings and tires. The newest edition is fitting in well, but now it is time to start saving for college.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Bandwagon
My energy and metabolism are slowing down. I will never kick-flip the pyramid again, retirement is just around the corner, and all my friends are having or have had babies. The pressure is on so we have a new addition in the casa:
Like genetics class taught us, it has good looks, lines and stylish Campy carbon like mom. The old but functional square taper bb and matching cranks, pedals that have not seen Tour action since you could wear these , and the tires that are booted with duct tape and shoe goo are just like tightwad, broken old dad. Adding some new dynamics to the family, the carbon steer tube is internally threaded. I am not the best parent because I have no idea what the little one weighs or precise measurements, and it doesn't have a name. But love it none the less because it sleeps through the night and eat chains, cassettes, chain rings and tires. The newest edition is fitting in well, but now it is time to start saving for college.
Like genetics class taught us, it has good looks, lines and stylish Campy carbon like mom. The old but functional square taper bb and matching cranks, pedals that have not seen Tour action since you could wear these , and the tires that are booted with duct tape and shoe goo are just like tightwad, broken old dad. Adding some new dynamics to the family, the carbon steer tube is internally threaded. I am not the best parent because I have no idea what the little one weighs or precise measurements, and it doesn't have a name. But love it none the less because it sleeps through the night and eat chains, cassettes, chain rings and tires. The newest edition is fitting in well, but now it is time to start saving for college.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Patience is rewarded.
Seven --or is it eight?-- years ago Chula got a modest road bike with a Chorus groupo and started riding a bit. She never really started logging miles, and the bike sees a trainer ride about as often as I ride the trainer (read: never).
Many times while working on my bike and needed shifters, cassette, wheels or derailers, I contemplated pirating them from Chula's bike. She would never know or miss them. I never did.
A local is rebuilding an beautifully refurbished Merckx. He wants to build it up with classic Al Campy. Al Campy new/old stock is hard to come by, and he did not want carbon or black Campy. So I say, "My wife might trade her basically new Al Campy for the fancy carbon stuff." His eyes light up, a deal is made and cleared with upper management.
Chula, bless her heart, said "Honey, you should ride that new Campy, and just put that old Campy from your cross bike on my bike. I wouldn't know the difference anyway."
A happy marriage indeed.
Many times while working on my bike and needed shifters, cassette, wheels or derailers, I contemplated pirating them from Chula's bike. She would never know or miss them. I never did.
A local is rebuilding an beautifully refurbished Merckx. He wants to build it up with classic Al Campy. Al Campy new/old stock is hard to come by, and he did not want carbon or black Campy. So I say, "My wife might trade her basically new Al Campy for the fancy carbon stuff." His eyes light up, a deal is made and cleared with upper management. Chula, bless her heart, said "Honey, you should ride that new Campy, and just put that old Campy from your cross bike on my bike. I wouldn't know the difference anyway."
A happy marriage indeed.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Finally
Life has been working me over. Finally relaxed by crawling up hills in the Ozarks, drifting down a river, and grilling. The hill crawling included part of the Jasper Disaster loop with a dose of dirt scrabbling up from Kyle's Landing. Wayne's place made me pedal faster while cresting the climb to Mt. Sherman. The abundant confederate flags, mobile homes arranged like a wagon train under attack, and a tree full of imported motos really brought the place together. Pedal faster. I hear banjos. 
Mondays suck, but moral is restored.
Mondays suck, but moral is restored.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Enough.
Complete strangers have told me "Your tires suck." I have heard "Get those off a Massey Ferguson?" I have had friends ramble on for 30-plus minutes about how I would be so much faster if I had better tires. Personally I do not think my tire choice is really holding me back from greatness. There are lots of other limiting factors.
My cured back stock of 1996 WTB Velociraptors is gone. Now is your chance to voice an opinion on what tires I ride. This is what I look for:
My cured back stock of 1996 WTB Velociraptors is gone. Now is your chance to voice an opinion on what tires I ride. This is what I look for:- durability - my current tires are approaching 2 years of use
- terrain ranges from dirt to cement - 50% dirt and 50%cement and gravel (I ride to most of my rides)
- all conditions - changing tires for changing conditions is not going to happen, I am
Monday, June 8, 2009
I should follow my own rules.
I have a no soggy bottom rule: if it is raining or going to rain, I do not ride except to get to work. Yesterday it was raining 15 minutes before the start of Rhett's Run. I should of followed my own advice and watched. The course was slick and locals lost all advantage because the lines were totally different. It was like this the first few laps, topped off with clogging drive trains. Around 2:15 my drive train had had it and my chain broke. I started to fix it then realized my knee was a little sore and there was blood under the mud. That was it. I went packing to clean out my knee in hopes of avoiding the ER. After sitting on the porch pouring hydrogen peroxide and wiping dirt out of my cut Chula asked, "Want a beer?" Nope. Knee still oozing several hours later she asked, "Want to go get stiches now?" Nope. Cheap chineese food makes everything better. Next time it is raining I am taking my own advice. That place is a blast to ride, but I have no reason to slog around out there in the rain.
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