My New Wednesday Routine...

seems to involve getting cramps in my calves every time I do wind sprints in Spin Class.

Hmmm. I did have that great massage -- thanks again Nifi for the gift. The masseuse really worked out my hamstrings and with some stretching my calf loosened up. Fine all week but last night BOTH locked up doing sprints.

I hydrated well. Even had a bottle of CytoMax (way too sweet a mix -- have to adjust some ratios). One classmate suggested taking 2-3 Tums before class to get a calcium boost. Guess I will try that next.

Looking for suggestions.

Sister-In-Law starts her visit this weekend. She is a very easy house guest to have over. Plus it gives me time to fuss on bikes and ride some and not feel guilty about being selfish and leaving Nifi and the girls:)

No weights tonight, chores to tend to.

Spin On

Taking A Break...

from work (i.e. reading Fatty's Tour of California coverage -- much better than Cycling News or Versus:)

I have not written, nor ridden in a long time, aside from Spinning and lifting. I had developed a nagging cramp in my calf in my leg a couple weeks ago and it was getting pretty persistent. But, Nifi to the rescue! We traded Valentine's Day gifts early -- she wanted a facial and I needed a therapeutic massage. Last Friday I went in and got a really thorough once over. Turns out my hamstrings were like piano wire and pulling up my entire leg -- and calf muscle. Problem eliminated. Thank you Nifi for being such a generous Valentine:)

I have been quite frustrated with my bike build projects. The painting has take me waaaaay too many weekends. One little drip becomes a whole afternoon do-over and then another weeks wait to get back to it. In any event, I attached a couple pictures of the builds as I checked and straightened out two frames.



Angus checks out just fine



McTavish needs a little encouragement to get the drops straight and centered.

Big thanks to http://www.mytenspeeds.com as a great reference for vintage cycle repair!

Spin On

There is something seriously wrong...

with our office AC unit.

As I sit in my South Florida office as the sun rises over a 44º morning the air conditioning is running. That makes it about 42º inside. I am considering scrounging around the office for one of our lovely company logoed polar fleece blankets to wrap over my lets like a caftan. That would also be appropriate because today I have to create advertising for a retirement home. Or, as in the old west, I could crawl inside a buffalo carcass and ride out the cold. I best keep typing as my fingers turn white like two packs of knackwurst dangling from my frigid appendages. I recently logged in to my high-school reunion site from Minneapolis. I noted that I had not worn a turtleneck since 1985. I guess that officially makes me a Floridian.

That said, riding weather has been great! Perfect temps, sun for the most part and dry air. I must remember these days come July when a refreshing breath is relegated to getting the vodka out of the freezer.

I am diligently trying to amp up my training; spinning, riding, lifting about 4 days a week now. I have a long way to go to be ready for MM in August...

Fixie builds are coming along too. Hopefully I can finish painting this weekend then start strapping on components.

Must.... stop.... now.... I think office induced hypothermia is setting in.

Spin On

Certain Days...

it just does not pay to get out of bed.

This post was turning in to a bitch session. I had best stop here until I have positive cycling stories to share.

Spin On

The Day Started...

And ended much the same... going nowhere. I went to Spin last night and had a good workout, felt the best I had all week, in fact. The instructor had us in a race scenario (I won BTW) and the feeling I have been dealing with all week finally hit me: I was going nowhere.

For days I have stared aimlessly at a blank pad of newsprint trying to develop strategies and concepts to no avail. Defeated. Finally I got some exercise -- which was great, but it went nowhere too, like a big hamster wheel. But I am finding those endorphins are key to my happiness and over-all satisfaction. I HATE complainers, so I will stop -- I in fact have much to be thankful for, including my company, it is just that I hit a wall sometimes and feel out of sorts. Hopefully today will be more rewarding:)

One last job topic. Good luck to Jason who has been dealing with some job decisions. He is a talented rider and writer/designer and I wish him the best on his endeavors.

Back to bike builds. I have been ordering parts online and lately sending them back/exchanging them. One particular issue is finding a seat-post that works. You kind of have to damage/ding it to see if it fits -- thus no return. No matter how much I measure, I have problems fining the right one for the vintage frames. Which, I hope to finish all the frames this weekend. I'll miss the paint fumes though.

Spin On

Purchase Profiling

So, my latest obsession has been bike building/rehab. Namely in the name of fixed gears or "fixies." Thus the above logo above for another blog, T-shirt or spoke card. Anyway, part of the process for me has been to amass materials and tools along with bike parts/porn. The medium has a lot of cool options, colors, combos and gear past the more modern road bike. What I really like (aside from buying bike parts and tools) is the vintage nature of the bikes -- very old school, as in '50s on and working up from frames I had as a kid, like this Raleigh Grand Prix.



One major investment has been building a spray booth for priming, painting and clear coating frames. I did a half-a** pvc version which collapsed in a wind gust -- along with the wet frame hanging inside of it. So I bought a shade tent to wrap in plastic, 10' x 10' and it has the added bonus of irritating certain Fascist neighbors:)

That leads me to the point of this email. I'm rambling, bear with me. I often go to the store and while standing in line note what people are buying to paint a picture of that person's life. 2 pounds of hamburger and jug wine -- cheap date in the trailer park. Organic veggies, soy milk, Beano -- you get the idea. My list for Home Depot included tape, clamps, a plastic tarp, rubber gloves and a big plastic bin. That in-line shopper story spells out murder mystery. I half expected the seemingly mentally challenged cashier (he is odd) to push a secret button and be met at the Volvo by a swat team. Maybe even tazed by the hot dog vendor! Aside from the anxiety, I escaped with my purchase unscathed and or cavity searched. Built the spray booth and it works great. Hope to get color on the frames this weekend.

In-Line profiling is fun, give it a try. Reminds me; I need to get Milk-Bones and peanut butter.

Spin On

Captiva Christmas Cruise

Doesn't seem that long ago Spengahli and I were headed up to Captiva for a jaunt and java. And, once again we had a beautiful day for a ride. This time we even added a beer (or two) to the equation. One addition for next year will be a mechanic, me thinks.

After getting the bikes off-loaded, situated and supplies readied, we headed out. Spenghali seemed to be struggling a bit on the Raleigh Technium. I quietly figured it was due to the fit and age -- of the bike. A common note of conversation became the little noises emanating from the aging steed (again, bike not rider:)

When we reached our half-way mark and stopped for an iced mocha (you guessed it, this is not a qualified training ride) we noted the back wheel was pinned to one of the back stays! Nice... real professional fit job on my part. Rubbed the paint off! Wheel barely spun around. He must have felt like he was riding at least three gears heavier.

Needless to say, once corrected, the ride home was much smoother, especially with the addition of a last minute stop for beer and chowder close to home. Yummy.

We are talking of rides for next year and jersey design. Mountain Mama, Seagull no doubt but one more "casual" group effort would be nice. A healing of the economy plays a big part in all this -- for travel funds as well as donations for Lab Rescue

All for now. Look for my next blog coming in 2009 -- a vintage bicycle restoration/riding chronicle. Sure to engross at least one reader (me:)

Spin On