Rowing...

with only one oar...as I head for the waterfall. That's a pretty good description of my life for the month of April. I plan on slowing down a little in May. I want to ride my bike, spend some time with Patty and Lupine in the mountains, and prepare and eat more home cooked meals. The key is to make less promises. I have to learn how to say "I will try to have your bicycle ready on Tuesday," rather than "I will have your bicycle ready on Tuesday." Politician speak.

For everyone who has waited patiently for their repairs or to get helped in the shop, I want to say "thank you." I know I should hire someone to build bikes, but I am not going to do it. I'm a control freak.

It's time for a bike ride.

Winter's Last Kiss?

White on yellow, red
Spring snow covers the tulips
Melting in the sun

Yesterday's Ride

I rode yesterday
Up the trail, up to snow, and
Heard a Spring gobbler.

Logan Again

There is only one problem with keeping a blog. The two or three people who actually read it expect you to keep it up to date. OK. It's now up to date. Until tomorrow.

I've been busy in the shop this week. Many people have dropped by. Most want used bikes, and I do not have very many choices for them. I'm sorry about that. They take time, and I have spent my time lately doing repairs and new bike assemblies. When things slow down, I will try to get more used bikes ready.

I also need to rehearse some music. I will be at the Ibis on Sunday from 12 to 2. I will have some new songs by REK.

Time to go to work. When I fail to post, I'm sure my sisters will let me know. I love my sisters.

I'm Going Home

I want to say thanks again to all my customers for a great week. I think I did well over a dozen repairs. Three new bicycles and four used bikes went to new homes. Three or four kid's bikes were given away free of charge. Thanks too, to everyone who donates or consigns their old bicycles. I've never worked so many hours in my life. It was more than worth it. There is a great sense of satisfaction seeing a bicycle go out the door that shifts and brakes. It's the form, function, and shear utility of the bicycle that motivates me.

I have always planned to take before and after pictures of recycled bicycles. But, there is just no time. The important part is just getting them back on the road.

I'm going home tomorrow. I will get to see my sisters for the first time in a long while. I look forward to an Easter dinner with ham and potato salad and deviled eggs. I can't wait to see Florida's natural beauty: crystal clear spring runs lined by cypress, Nyssa, and bay, the smell of the marsh at the edge of my lake, and bird songs I have not heard for well over a year.

I'll be open again on April 10. See you then.

Ahh Youth

Peter sent this picture from 98. That was a long time ago. What a blast from the past, skinny, short hair, shocks, and gears too! Thanks Peter.

Wheel Building

Building a bicycle wheel is truly therapeutic. It starts with only a hub, a rim, and a big handful of spokes and nipples. The finished product is a work of art. It's also a form of healing, wholeness, strength, and fullness. Round, symmetrical, and rhythmic, it comes full circle. Right two and in, right two and in, left five, over under and in, left five, over under and in. Groups of 4, repeat the pattern, eight more groups of four to go, three-cross, 36 hole, and your done. The circle is complete. Strength in numbers. A hoop under tension.

Weaving spokes, hub, rim
Symmetry, form, and function
An endless circle

A Spring haiku

Almost overnight
the grass turned a bright green
after the soft rain

Updates

OK readers, hang in there while I update the site. I'm trying to bury the details about each bicycle I have in stock and links to the manufacturers' sites deeper in my site. Because I have a blog and not a web-site, it is not so easy. I have been told I need to keep people on my site rather than sending them away. So, like I said, hang in there.

Today is my day off. So, I have to go to work and catch up on some repairs and builds. I may even get to the dishes and laundry later today. ...nah.

Again, thanks everyone for all the support!

Shop News

New Redline bicycles will be here later this week. Biria bicycles will arrive early next week. Build, build, build.

The shop will be closed from April 3 until April 9. I am going home to Florida for Easter to see my sisters and extended family.

A Long Day

It was that and more. The maroon Biria in the photo of the shop now belongs to Michelle. I know she will enjoy it. On Monday I will order more of the Biria Touring City 8-speeds. These really are great bikes. I also sold a late 80's Motobecane road bike. It gets bar tape and a go-over and should go out the door in the morning. I want to say thank you to everyone who has bought a bike, had repairs done, or just dropped by to say hello and give such nice compliments on the shop. My goal is to continue to give you all the best service I can. Goodnight.

Humans on my right
I roll behind the Deer Fence
Mountains on my left

Black Elk spoke about
Hang-Around-The-Fort-People
Waiting for hand outs

A hundred wild elk
Eating hay behind the fence
Brings tears to my face

Why the tall Deer Fence?
With countless bones at its base
To save apples, shrubs?

Take the Deer Fence down
Let mountains and humans blend
Leave only a trail

Spring at Last?

Chickadees singing
Songs from every compass point
Snow melting quickly

Another Great Day

Four bicycles went out the door today! Scott took home a late 70's Japanese Schwinn (lugged frame, nice) as is. I will put a new chain and freewheel on it and turn it into a single speed at a later date. With new wheels and Tektro 521's this will be one sweet bicycle. For now, if it ain't broke, don't fix it? Keith bought a new Sun Comfort Sport Select. Ronald bought a Sun Retro Alloy 3-speed for his spouse and the last Cadillac! He got the "deal" on the Caddy, cost plus shipping. Thank you Ronald and Keith. Cash flow means I can pay some debt.

I'm Open

The Fire Marshall (his name was not Bill) says I am good to go. So, I am officially open. Today was a great first day. Three people came by looking for used bikes. I don't have very many ready to go but I'll be working on some soon. Lisa McKinnon came by and bought lights and helmets today, and a repair or two came in. I'm going to be real busy.

I've Received a Sign

I've always heard that "a business with no sign is a sign of no business." Well, now I have one. A Superior Sign, too. Thank you Dave Barber. If you ever need a sign, call Dave, 753-8702. The City building inspector came by and said things look good. He noted that my building was a real mess and that I've made a few improvements. The fire inspector is scheduled to come by today, and then I will be official. I will be building bikes, ordering bikes, and hopefully doing a lot of repairs and spring tune ups. So, come on in.

From Basement to Beautiful

Here is a picture of Clark's restored ride, a 53 Corvette. Last summer this bike was sitting in my basement collecting dust. Nice work Clark.

I know I've said this before, but I really mean it this time. The new shop will be open by the end of this week.

So Close

The flooring is down. The baseboards are up. Thank you John Bennett and Mike Fellows and others form the Hillcrest Second Ward. I have such great neighbors. Caulk and putty have been applied. The first of several layers of plastic wood is down near the doors where gaps are still exposed. The light covers and the bathroom door are back up. Paint has been scraped from most of the surfaces. Gas and electricity have been transferred to my name and large deposits have been paid. Paul and Seth helped me work tonight from 7 to 11. That's another 9 hours of work. What is the total now?

So close. However, there is still so much to do. The baseboards need a few nails set and will get a little more caulk in the morning, and then painted on Friday by Paul. The windows and the bathroom need some serious cleaning. I need switch and electrical plates in many places. I also need to buy backer rod (don't ask me what backer rod is, I have no clue) and furring strips. I don't know what those look like either. I need to put up my tool board and another section of wall board. The wall board will require anchors and a masonry bit to set them. There are still spots of old paint and additional pieces of vinyl on the old flooring. I will get them up and then get all the floors mopped. Sweep, scrape, clean, and mop. The plastic wood needs some coloring applied to match the wood flooring. I'm not sure about that step at all.

Then? Then I may be able to begin putting bikes on leaning racks and accessories on the display walls. I can even begin building some bikes already in stock. My building inspection is scheduled for next Thursday. I will try and schedule a Fire Marshall inspection for the same day. I'll be official. Officially in deep debt. This is so exciting.

Rent is due tomorrow. I need to order some bikes. I will order the Redline bikes first. Then the Kogswell P/Rs, and a few Birias. Then, perhaps On One. Where will I get the money? Great question. My budget is shot. My cash flow is glaciated.

It's almost midnight. I should go to bed. Or, I could do laundry and dishes. Manic? Me? Does anyone remember my first post?

Craftsmanship

An unsquare building
Makes for some ugly baseboards
I will need more caulk

I've been busy

Really, I have been busy. And, the computer has been down for a couple of weeks. The shop is very close to being ready. I should be open by the end of the week. Painting has been a slow and expensive ordeal. The walls were in bad shape with layers of vinyl stickers, wall paper, and latex and oil based paints. Hundreds of pounds of joint compound have been put on the walls. Bottom line: Paul Stewart is a hero. Stay tuned.