Yesterday's Fall

I had a long work day yesterday.  I started at 4am and returned home at 10pm.  I think I broke bones in my bottom and neck.

That hurt.  Now go pick up your computer; see if it is broken.

Seems to be working.  Looks safe at the bottom of this hill.  Dude, there's snow on your ass.

Does that hurt when you land on your neck like that?

Thinking About Fixed Gear Cyclocross

I've been thinkin' 'bout cross today.  I'm not sure why.  I have not been on a real bike ride in months.  My heart rate has not been elevated since January 8.  Perhaps I'm thinking about cross because it's a windy blowy snowy sort of day, and the memory of last season is still fresh in my mind.  I rode the geared bike for the entire last half of the season.  Three of my four wins were on the geared bike.  Even so, here is what I'm thinking.  For next year, in every race, I'm going to be on the fixed gear set up.  I may even wear cut off jeans.  This will be a good way to support my new sponsor, Robert Hamlin Bicycles.

Like Watching Paint Dry

And the paint is drying.  Just a few more brush strokes, some more deep cleaning, fix the broken window, put up more slat wall, another visit from Fire Marshal Bill, several days of organizing, and I should be ready.  I may even start building some bicycles next week.  If it seems like I'm not in a hurry, it's because I'm not.  Although, I will need some cash flow soon.  Starting up again has put me over $5,000 in the red.  And, I'll be on the road this weekend checking cameras on I-70 and US 6 for the Doctor.

All Over Again

Five years ago to the day, Paul Stewart was painting the shop.  Tonight, he is painting it again.  Strange.  And this time, my work area has blue walls.  Like the ocean.

Pake C'mute

A link to the past!  No need to reinvent the (bicycle) wheel.  In the middle of 2009 I was headed toward a new business model.  Two years later, I'm just trying to follow through, albeit without the catchy name.  I'm sure my ideas will catch on, and all of Logan, Utah will be rolling around on Pake C'mute frames built to their exact needs and dreams.  Right.

http://roberthamlin.blogspot.com/2009/06/pake-cmute.html

Versautility

Yes, I'm creating a new word.  What I really want to create is a new mindset about bicycles that have versatility and utility.  Versautility.  I've posted rants before about how in just a few decades bicycles have gone from 5 speeds to 11 speeds, and from tested and proven frame design to high-tech high-dollar carbon and full suspension motorcycles without engines with 5 or more inches of travel.  If you want that, and you have the $4,000 to spend, fine.  Good.  I can even sell you a bicycle like that.  It would perform fantasticly.  But, it would have no versautility.  I'd rather not sell a bicycle like that.

I want to sell you this bicycle.  I have all sizes in stock.  It's heavy.  It only has 16 speeds.  It is 100% rigid chromoly steel.  It works great.  It's a 29er mountain bike (really, if you want a mountain bike, this will do a fantastic job, ask my wife, this is the bike she rides).  If you want an indestructible curb crushing, pothole pounding, snow sliding commuter, this is your ticket.  If I put on 700x32 cyclocross tires for you, it's going to feel really fast.  But wait, there's more.  This bicycle has eyelets to mount front and rear racks.  That means it's also a heavy duty touring bicycle, capable of extended back-country off-road adventures.  Does it have disc brakes?  No.  But just take a test ride after I set up the v-brakes.  Give the levers a good squeeze, and you'll go right over the bars.  Really.  You don't need disc brakes if you use this bicycle as described above.  The price, you ask?  You know gas will be back up to $4 per gallon this summer?  What price would you have to pay for all this?  $699.  That's only about a dozen tanks of gas for your car.

Riddle Me This Batman

What costs $150 less than a Soma Double Cross frame yet has more versatility (hint: semi-horizontal drop-outs)?  I just ordered 3 of them.  I'll show you the answer next post.  Or just scroll down a few posts.

Bidness

• State and local business licenses, business checking account, and liability policy are all in the works.
• Fire Marshall (not Bill) and Building Inspector to be scheduled.
• Ordering these soon.  It's still all the mountain bike anyone needs.  I can even set it up with 32x24.  If that doesn't work, walk up the hill.  No, you do not need suspension.  Really, really.  I'm telling you the truth.

Yep

I'm opening up the shop again.  170 E Center.  Alright now, pick yourself up off the floor.  I know I said never again.  I've changed my mind.  I'll have all the business licences and liability insurance by the end of the week.  Crazy, huh?  It's just something I need to do.  It's still part of my path.

It will be different this time:  no credit, no cheap Fuji, less hours, more custom-fitted-steel-frame-utilitarian-one-bike-does-it-all options.  These bicycles will have so many options.  Want a cross bike?  Want a commuter?  Want a fixie?  Want a road bike?  You choose:  flat bars, drop bars, flared drop bars, racks, gears, singlespeed, fixed, fenders, etc.  I'll even do 7 speed thumb shifters for you.

http://www.pakebikes.com/product/F8EF09/C%27Mute+Frame

And, if you want an inexpensive-high quality off the shelf bicycle, I plan on having Redline bicycles available again.  They still make the best steel framed 29ers and metro-road bicycles for the best price.  Here is one classic example.

My Rope

The end of my rope
Turn and use the other end
Or, make a short splice

Life is a circle
Multiple infinite loops
From the Buddha mind

I may need more than
Meditation and symbols
Pedaling circles

Sitting on the couch
A rare moment by myself
Quiet reflection

I'm thinking about
Going for a nice long ride
A cold gravel road

We will drive instead
Up the canyon to go ski
Whole fam damily

I'll learn to snow board
I have a split board and boots
The right equipment

I'll learn to go down
Then I will try to skin up
The back country calls

Albert, Peeters, and Pauwles

I got back on the bike for a good two hours yesterday.  It was my first ride in three weeks, I think.  The off road sections of my normal cow-pasture-Amalga-gravel-roads-Smithfield-Logan-canal-trail-home loop were all frud (frozen mud).  My toes were numb.  It felt really good to ride.  I'm motivated again.  So motivated, I woke up early this morning to watch the World Championship race live from the sand dunes of Belgium.  Albert is king.  Peeters was paid.  Pauwles was robbed.  That's really brilliant, no?  It's amazing how much I amuse myself.  That's why I have a blog.

In my head, I plan to go for a ride tomorrow.  In reality, the day is already really full:  walk the dogs, get Lupine and TJ up and to school with breakfast in their bellies, lunch in their hands, and their teeth brushed, all by 8, do the dishes and vacuum up the floors, pick up Jaide at 1, pick up Lupine and TJ at 3, take Jaide and TJ to Layton to visit with their mother at 5, pick up Patty from the airport in Salt Lake City at 7:50, drive Jaide to Tremonton, then drive home to Loganistan, get Lupine and TJ to brush their teeth and go to bed, and then walk the dogs.  Plenty of time to ride, no?  11 to 12:30 is wide open.

What? A New Post?

Yes, I'm finally posting, which I have not done much of late.  Usually it's easy, I just write about bicycles and my latest bicycle ride, self aggrandizing and narcissistic babble for the most part.  I have not done much for me since the Florida championship cross race.  In fact, I have not been on the bicycle for 10 days.  I'm a foster parent now, drained of all emotional energy, fighting a big headache, and learning new things about childhood trauma and myself.  I've become much more patient and a much nicer person, things I've always known I should be and always wanted to be.  Now, I have the imperative to implement these behaviors.  To be successful, I have no choice.  I just have to find a way to get in a ride, a nap, and 3 or 4 ibuprofen.

Florida Cyclocross Championships

I have only one thing to say.  If you stop training, you stop riding at the front.

Crazy Updade

Or, should I say an update because I'm crazy?  No, we are not in Florida, we're still in Utah.  Like I posted before, life is what happens when you are making other plans.  The new plan?  This week we became foster parents.  Jaide and Trent, 9 and 13, moved in yesterday after a whirlwind week of preparation and many trips to Ogden/Layton.

Why are we doing this?  It's pretty simple.  We have enough food, house, things, experience, knowledge, and love to share.  We all talk about charitable giving, making the world a better place, and doing for others.  This is something completely different.  It's something we just feel a need to do.

Crazy?  Yes.  The short list of things to get/do:  build closets, build a wall, chest 'o drawers, fix the seat belt in the car, organize the upstairs, go to the grocery store (again), do the dishes (again), and get more laundry baskets.  And yes, ride my bike.  And yes, go to Florida for a short trip.

I will fly to Jacksonville on January 5th and return to Loganistan on January 17th.  Lupine should be flying with me (she may change her mind).  I still plan on doing the Florida Championship cross races and the Tour de Felasco.  I'll do these rides for fun.  I have to, now that I've already gained 8 pounds since my last race on December 17.  I really like potato chips.  And pizza.  And sausage.  And...

A Poem for Lynn

Inside and above
When the snow-fog leaves my head
I'll stand in the sun

Utah Cyclocross Final Points 45+

Belay That Order

Life is happening while we're making other plans.  So, don't put the cat in the car just yet.

The Long Haul

We are going to get in the car in a few days.  The goddamned cat, too.  If I can find room I'll strap the fixed gear cross bike to the rear luggage rack, somehow.  No, I'm not going to Nationals.  No, I'm not going to Worlds.  I may not even get to the Florida State Championship race on January 8.  Then again, I might.  If I do, it will be nice to have a real bicycle rather than a 30 pound 30 year old ten speed.

I have not trained since last Saturday, already getting fat, eating chips and drinking two beers.  Yeah, I'm a real beer drinker.  I may go run the stairs today.  Then again, it's 14 degrees out there.  I need to do some core conditioning, but the floor is dirty and covered in dog hair.  I could go ride Green Canyon on the snow bike, but my toes would freeze after only a half hour of pedaling.  I really have to get out of Utah.  What's the temperature right now in Florida?

The route home, you ask?  Moab, Utah, Taos, New Mexico, Batesville, Arkansas, and Mendenhall, Mississippi are the for sure stops.  I'm sure there will be others.  Tallahassee?  I'm taking bets on where the cat runs away.  Pick the spot; the closest location wins.

Utah Cyclocross 2011 Is Done

Final race today
Flat, bike change, chased back to third
Podium in sight

Hard left, inside out
Slipped on the ice covered leaves
So long podium

All said and done now
Second overall this year
Masters 45