Open Today, 12:30 to 5:30

The shop has been open for the last two weeks.  The taxes are done.  Yes, I promised to post pictures from our spring break trip to the Waterpocket Fold.  And I will write an interesting blog post.  Later.  When I'm not so busy.  When the dishes, laundry, bicycle repairs, bills, ordering, sweeping, mopping, spring cleaning, data analysis, and first quarter report are done.  Right after my next bicycle ride is done.  Or after the next ride.

Shop Time

Spring break is over, so I will be back in the shop some this week.  As usual, call me first if you want to set up a specific time to meet because I will also be doing Montana work, taxes, and some saddle time.  I will post pictures from the Swell and the Fold soon.  Geology.

White Rim

I rode the White Rim with Tim Stack on Friday.  Ten hours and 101 miles pedaling the singlespeed on skinny tires in deep sand against a panoramic backdrop that filled my visual cortex, the ride was both brutal and wonderful.  It was strange, the ten hours felt like two, it went by so fast.  Then again, it felt like 20, because it was quite hard.  Who knows?  In that situation my body goes on automatic and my face looks tortured.

The deep sands of time
Hold my wheels, at a "sand" still
Layers orange, red, white

Closed Thursday And Friday

The White Rim calls.  I may be open on Saturday.

The End In Sight

The expected high yesterday was 35.  It may have been above freezing in town, but during my ride it felt much colder.  I pedaled up Smithfield Canyon to the gate and snow, and along the muddy lower Logan-Smithfield Canal.  A man walking the canal near the high school smiled, waved, and asked how I was doing.  I told him I was really cold.  He said, "The end is in sight."  I replied "Yes, but I just don't see it."

The shop will be open this week, Wednesday through Saturday in the afternoons, but it is still a good idea to call me first if you need me.

Spring In Utah

The sun is out.  The air is warm.  Everyone wants to visit their local bicycle shop and get back on their bicycles.  Right.

Spring

The snow pile in front of the shop melted today.  Here are a few melt dates from the past:

March 24, 2008
March 22, 2009
March 19, 2010
March 17, 2011
2012?  I wore shorts on March 23, so it was probably several days before that.

My early season orders are in and stocked.  The Redline Conquest cross bikes are gathering dust and looking for good homes.  The Redline d680 29ers are being assembled.  I will be ordering from Soma soon so get your requests in.  I will be open all week in the afternoons or by request.

Now Accepting Credit Cards

Big news.  For the first time ever in my seven years of selling bicycles, Robert Hamlin Bicycles will now accept credit cards.  Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express.

Southbound

I am working in Montana, and headed back tonight.  Robert Hamlin Bicycles will be open on Friday and Saturday, noon to five.  The Redline d680s should be ready for test riding.

That Ain't Workin'

I spent a little time in the shop today.  I should have gone for a ride instead.  Bicycle rides are painless.  While assembling a Foundry Auger, I bent over a little and could not get back up.  So much for getting my shots last week.  Bad discs, not SI joint.  That is the only conclusion now.  The Auger was to be my new geared bike.  Now, it is finally assembled and ready to go to a home.  I will never ride gears.  Below are Foundry pictures.  The bicycle is not dirty yet, it's brand spanking new.  Who wants it?

My Back

Headed to the hospital for a steroid shot in the back.  I'll be back on the bike in no time.  Right.

On another note, check this out, a stainless steel Soma Double Cross.  I would love to have a size run of these:

Daydreaming

A foot of new snow

But my mind is far away

CR 234

Out on Angle Road

Under live oaks, Spanish moss

Warm wind at my back

Back In The Shop

Robert Hamlin Bicycles was open this afternoon.  Yesterday I was at Soldier Summit, Utah and the day before I was in Yellowstone National Park.  It was good to get back to working on bicycles.  Today I did a few repairs, and then put a chainring tooth deep under my fingernail using this apparently harmless tool.


There really should be a better way to tighten chainring bolts, a way that prevents such bloody messes.  I wish all chainring bolts had hex openings on both sides, like FSA bolts.

I will try to be back in the shop tomorrow afternoon.  Regular hours should start again in March.  Until, then, call me if you need me and I can meet you at your convenience.

Broken Ice

I just went for a bike ride, my first in Cache Valley (for more than 15 minutes) since early December.  The sun was out, the air was clear, and the temperature was 7 degrees.  My toes were toast after only an hour or so.  Four rides in Florida, two in St. George, and nothing else since December 8.  How much fitness can one lose in eight weeks.  Don't answer that, I already know.

The Bear Necessities (not bicycle related)

Shop News

I will try to be open again real soon. The sun will come out, tomorrow. I just ordered a bunch of these. I will get them assembled ASAP. Wholesale price for the 2012 model!

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/archives/2012-d680

Things Done, Places Been, Photos Not Taken, In Reverse Chronological Order

Bitterroot Brew Pub Spice of Life Beaver Loganistan Angel Fire Taos Texas Louisiana Florida Felasco Salt Springs tt rides carpentry Santos Christmas in Jacksonville Mississippi Alabama Arkansas Taos Colorado UTCX awards party St. George last cross weekend.  There.  Blog updated!

Post?

Facebook has killed my blog.

Catch Up

Where has November gone?  It's almost December, so I better update this blog.  It's a quite morning.  Lupine is at school and Patty is on a plane to California.  "Going to California on a big jet plane, never let 'em tell ya that they're all the same."  A Pacific storm is moving in and it looks like rain.  The dogs are sleeping at my feet.  So, here goes.  Mostly, I have just been really busy.  There have been visitors, Vickie, Heather, and Greg, bicycle races, a Quarterly Report, and kid that needs me.

Cyclocross season is nearly over, yet it seems like it just started.  I will race tomorrow and then again the following Saturday, and the season here is done.  It's been a good year, even if it has not been very successful.  I've only had four podiums in 12 races.  There is still a chance to finish third overall in the singlespeed category.  I will problably be fifth, I would bet.  I did not ride or run at all for the entire Thanksgiving week.

We went to Montana for Thanksgiving, and mostly worked.  My feet were cold.  So, we went to Gold Bug hot springs on the way home.  Gold Bug is surreal, a waterfall of steaming hot water, perfect pools, and a billion dollar view.  I should say a priceless veiw, because you could never buy it.  It is Mother Nature's perfect miracle.

 

Robert Hamlin Bicycles is still open. Open, when I get a call and go down there to meet the customer and flip the sign over. I still have plenty of inventory, and everything is 40% off. I have bicycles, helmets, parts, clothing, etc. Please come get it all.

 

 

Utah Cyclocross, 10-27-12, Halloween 'Cross

UTCX Halloween 'Cross 2012 from Grizzly Adam on Vimeo.