1.28.2008 15 miles for the ride in.

the ride in - on the jukebox - various songs from sum41, soundgarden, nirvana, puddle of mudd, alan jackson and some techno rave song that I'm sure would sound really cool live in a club - but that's another story.


30deg when I left - 80% humidity - 10 mph wind - come on - this is Jan? I was blessed with the gift of watching the sun crest the eastern horizon en route. So the ride in was a victory and I'm sure I will suffer if I do this when the weather drops once again but for now I will commute and love it. I have to get some miles in early - for no real reason other than I hate going to the gas station and watching my belly grow while I dump more petrol into the tank of the beast when I could have ridden in.

Despite the warm temp this morning - the Coon Rapids Dam managed to pull off another brisk crossing. Well, it is rather exposed, the wind channeling down the river has had a chance to cool down - alot - and when it whisks up and over the dam - it was literally snowing ice shards of river water on the left side of my body....so - above freezing ride yet I was almost frost bitten by crossing the damn dam.

Coffee at Caribou - weird looks - a couple of thumbs up - good to be alive.

the new pics...

okay - so I had a lot of time on my hands....New overhaul on the rear hub - new axle, bearings etc...new paint job. That's right...too much time on my hands. I really dont think it is all that bad but like tatoos...how do you know when to stop. so, I will be riding this clown bike on Cheq. I was out riding the mt bike trails tonight - one last spin and it felt GREAT...my legs I mean...the bike was bouncing all over the place without suspension. It was chilly, and took a while to get warmed up but worth it tonight. Next blog - pics from the north-land... so at least I will turn heads for a sec or two on the race...again - to pass up a series of riders on voodoo $4000 bikes is going to be nice...Have a great weekend all - I hope to have some pics by sunday.


andy - zuko

should be OFS...oops
I like this one


Metal fleck paint is nice


The specter of death...

deep purple....

A special thanks to Larry and Pam at Trailhead. I think I speak for every two wheeled freak when I say thank you. YOu have been so accomodating to our dreams and desires. which reminds me - I need to put a pink ribbon on the bike somewhere....to the guys that have kept this Frankensteined bike rolling - Mason, James, Dan, Stew, Matt...not Clint though - thanks.

Cycling Frenzy...

So - at the shop last night to get the wheel...not done. It's cool - no big deal. These guys are busy. I would try myself to rebuild the hub but would rather have Stew or Mason take care of it. I can get it apart and semi-back together....after that, it requires a touch and experience I just dont have. So, instead I opted to paint more on the bike...I forgot my camera at work...this is really getting out of hand...between the flames of red and blue and green - all using a touch up brush so it kinda sucks - I have turned my bike into a rolling grafiti machine. It will turn some heads for sure...Tonight I will clear coat the artwork a bit and call it quits. I can easily spend too much time on this - its in my nature. Seeing that my wife would kill me if I got tatoos, I tatoo my bike instead.

As I am working away - the Duke rolls in to buy a bike for his wife to ride this weekend...Then Kenny the Cook drops by with his bike...the frenzy is on - the last min tweeking. I HAVE TO get out tonight to spin a bit...this taking a few days off is needed but tough to do - it really is. My only concern is some sort of a technical - what can go wrong really? Single speed....lets see - break the chain - got a back up....pop a tire - got a spare....break pedals - go with one leg....break my body - get a beer.

It is much more the experience but I have some goals - being accountable here....here is what they are... 1. finish under 3 hours 2.finish under 2.5 hours ( big goal ) 3. top 100????? well, ya gotta have a big monster goal - the hero goal. 4. meet greg lemond 5. pay up that beer to creepy friendly. 6. cross the line knowing it hurt and i put it all out on the trail.

That's it - pics tonight of the grafiti rat.


zuko

The Steed....

New treads, fancy spacers, shinny ss cog, toe clips are not what i am using...i will touch up the rat pic and the advertisement for Trailhead...and then Fat Tire...