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

Warm Holiday Greetings

It just isn't right to be celebrating Christmas in shorts and a Tshirt... Unless of course they are bike shorts. Which I intend to do at least once with a "Captiva Coffee Cruise" with R2R Teammate Spenghali. I have spent too much time on the spin bike not the road and hope to amp up my "season" around Christmas.

I must admit, I do enjoy the spin classes but they are in jeopardy of canceling them because of lack of attendance. Last night there were only two of us. The teacher pulled up so close she could almost touch my knob. On the bike people, on the bike! Good Lord, keep your mind out of the gutter - it is getting in my way:)

Here is a link to the recording artist Leggo Beast and his monolog "The New Deal" the subject of a previous post.

Spin On

Rolling Along

Last week I actually hit my target workout schedule. Extra weights at the gym Tuesday -- feeling it in the glutes for sure do to the extra squats. Wednesday and Saturday spin and even hit the road for an hour Sunday. Now that felt good:) I would have like to ride Friday, but spent 13.5 hours working around a photo shoot. It is a lot of standing, walking and lifting, so I figure that counts for something, no?



In between Holiday prep I have been trying to work on my next bike rehab. This Raleigh will become a fixie as well, two-tone paint and black accents. For good or bad, we have had unseasonably warm weather so I can be out working. I hate buying Christmas trees in T-shirts. It just 'aint right.

Spin On

Age Spotted

One week ago it was my birthday. I have reached the ripe old age of 47. Don't feel it, but there you have it, I am probably genetically just past middle age.

I had a great day. Sushi for lunch, closed early and hit some bike shops, dismantled an old Schwinn for parts and the off to spin class. It was a hard, cardio workout which I undid with a Chimay to celebrate:)

Thanksgiving was spent with friends and ended around a bonfire in the "cold" for us Floridians.

Friday pressure cleaned the house and nursed some brain cells back from the abyss. I enjoy red wine to a fault;)

Saturday bike rehab and chores. Sunday lights up. I really began to spot my age -- sadly. A nagging elbow which has persisted for six months flared up and I was sore. I had had it with the elbow so today saw an elbow surgeon. Arthritis, fortunately mild. He indicated that it should not effect any activity as long as I try to keep it from full extension and take an anti-inflammatory as needed. I hope to be done with medical test for a long while and keep the blog to bikes and dogs. Speaking of which makes me feel really bad for Emily with all her joint problems. Gladly she seems to be okay.

My day was made when my new fixie wheels arrived along with a stem, bullhorn bars and a Brooks limited edition saddle. The weather outside was PERFECT for riding. My job however got in the way. I am loving this build thing. The research and shopping are a blast. I only wish I had more time for the mechanics and some riding -- it has been way to long since my cheeks hit the saddle. Maybe this weekend.

Spin On

Happy Thanksgiving

To both my loyal readers, Happy Thanksgiving:) The end of the year has been a struggle, but the search for positives leaves me feeling optimistic for the coming year. Change might be uncomfortable, but can be for the better.

I hope to Spin, ride and burn off the copious amounts of triptophene I intend to ingest.

I have included a couple cool pix I snagged of Fixed Gear Gallery. One of a concept bike



and the other is a statue at Pau, the top of a mountain stage in the TdF paying tribute to the riders.




My best to you all, enjoy the season and please, find something to be thankful for.

Spin On

F**k The God of War

Allow me to explain.

As I sit day after day at my desk staring at a blank pad of newsprint beckoning to be filled with the next greatest concept in marketing, flashing emails, plunging stock tickers or being interrupted about every eight minutes, jogging me from my stream of unconsciousness, I listen to iTunes Groove Salad in the background. It is calming and petty retribution to my staff for interruptions as I slow down the networks bandwidth;)

There is one tune in particular that is really a monolog set to music, I have not heard it lately and the name escapes me, but I do believe it is the actor Jeff Goldblum giving an address at a college commencement ceremony. He discusses how we each have a "God of War" within us, encouraging us to do wrong things, challenge ourselves with misguided dreams and ambitions and to follow paths we will not enjoy. He (or she) is a nasty character which controls most of our existences.

The music plays blissfully in the background as JG spells out his theory. It is the ending I have paid the most attention to. He suggests to the students that they think back to the times when they were 14- 16 and what they enjoyed most in life. He challenges them to follow those joys and make lives out of it. "Remember what you loved at 15, and f••k the God of War." I salute those who have f'd the God of War.

For me it was bikes. I loved to ride them and the freedom. I loved to strip them down, take them apart and rebuild them. I was on to enclosed cabling 32 years ago -- but never managed to pursue my summertime joys. I managed to get a job, hang out where the girls were and later on, where the beer was:) Who was f'd now?



Well I am finally going back, in a minor way. I have found my fixie frame to build, a vintage Raleigh Grand Prix. More to come on that. But for now here is the beginning of my old Trek 800 rehab prior to paint being stripped off. Next is priming and painting. I will try to detail the build -- and my magnificent faux spray booth -- a PVC famed phone booth sized contraption.

Spin On