The Adventure Continues

This morning we are in El Paso. We've come a long way, come a long way, 500 miles per day. Yesterday we woke up in Canyon de Chelly. The drive has been quite scenic. The only problem is, we have not had a chance to stop and enjoy it. Drive, drive, drive. Today we start across the big state of Texas. San Antonio tonight? Who knows? I will keep you posted if I get a chance to post.

Still Here

We're still in Utah
It is time to start driving
A snowstorm's coming

The Adventure Begins

The shop is closed
Except for those who need me
Like James and Destry

I must change the oil
Pack the car with bikes and dogs
And rotate the tires

Southern Utah and
Red rock country, Navajo
Mexican Water

Apache Sitgreaves
Arizona, White Mountains
Wolf tracks in the snow

A big adventure
Isn't that what life's about?
Stranded in Texas

Sunrise on the gulf
Cajun music and crayfish
Flocks of white ibis

Resurrection ferns
Spanish moss on the live oaks
It's good to be home

Hell

I think my face says it all in this photo. This was the hardest race of the entire series. Each lap got worse and worse. Above is lap number one. Nice white shirt. I wish I had a picture at the end. I had at least 10 pounds of mud on me and the bike. Below is lap three, getting dirty. One lap later I was down more than once. With one to go, Clark M., who had just passed me after another slip, went down right in front of me and I lost another place. Bad day.

This Week is the Last Week

Well, if you tell people you are not going to be around for a while, they bring you a bunch of bicycles to work on. I will be in the shop this week, and I will be busy. There is even a lugged steel cyclocross bike to convert into a single speed for Andy. Josh A. needs a seat post and a wheel true. Again, come on buy.

The cyclocross series is over, and it leaves me a little down. Now there is no "next race" to look forward to. I do plan on taking the cross bike to Florida. There are races almost every week in January, so I will put that in my head, think positive, and try to do a little training. It's hard to go ride when it is 10 degrees out. Most of next week will be spent in the car. The bike needs help. It is still covered in mud from the last race.

The races are run
Brake cables frozen with mud
Pedals do not spin

The Last Days

Saturday, December 15, will be the last day open in 07 for Recycled & New Bicycles. I should be back in the shop by early February. We will be on the road to Florida the week of December 17. We plan to take the southern route to avoid the sideways snow in Wyoming. This route includes Moab, UT, Arizona, Silver City, NM, all of Texas, the gulf coast, then home.

The Utah Cyclocross Series is over. It's like "lost dogs and mixed blessings." At yesterday's race, I started fast and finished slow. I got in a crash near the end and lost a place. I crashed several times before that. Not a good day, riding in about a half-foot of mud and snow all day. Overall, I will end up 6th in the points standings. That sounds good, but I am near the bottom of the list of those who did at least 7 races. I probably will not do the series next year. Bicycle riding is a priority, but the travel involved in racing is not. I may try to put on a Logan cyclocross series next year. I could ride to the races.

Last night's Alley Cat Race was a blast. What a turn out!

Cold and Wet

It was slow at the shop again today. I sold only one tube, one fixed cog, and one lock ring. Just a week or so to go, so come on in. The deals are hot; the air is cold.

We have some serious winter weather moving in. The final race of the cyclocross series is on Saturday. And you thought last week's conditions were bad. This time it may be worse. The temperature should be near 20 for the single speed race. Saturday night I plan on doing the Mooseknuckler alley cat race. Iced roads on the fixed gear! Wish me luck. Or brains.

Migrations

Like a sandhill crane
I feel the urge to fly south
Back to Florida

To sit on my porch
And stare at the blue water
Watching the sunset

The sandy trails call
Gold Head and Etonia
Black waters move slow

Video

Here is a video from Saturday's race. That was a lot of snow for skinny tires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuxnUZyzs30

A Picture Says 1000 Snow Flakes

I took this picture from my friend Seth's blog. I'm sure he would not care too much. Anyway, this was the start of Saturday's single speed race. The snow was falling pretty hard, about two inches just during the race. Looking for me? White jersey, red helmet, head down.

Slick

Yesterday I did a cyclocross race in a snow storm. At the start there was four inches on the ground. After the finish, there was another three inches on top of the car. I rode too conservatively. I slipped and dabbed a lot, but I never hit the ground. I gained and lost a place on the last lap. I will have to work harder on my "killer instinct." In cross, if you pass someone, you have to go as hard as you can and bury them. There was enough snow for burial, I just should have shoveled harder.

I will blog the results when I find out where I finished. Bottom line: "if last week's results still look good this week, this week's results are not so good."

Patty's birthday is on Tuesday, and her sister is coming for a visit. So, the shop will be open when I am there. I may not be there very much. Call me if you need me. I still have plenty of nice bikes I need to move.

It's Monday

I will be open regular hours this week. I'm sure there will be a rush of holiday shoppers eager to take advantage of the great deals at Recycled & New Bicycles. Seriously, I will sell all new bikes at any price, as long as I can cover my costs. Come and see me. Or, call me.

Results and points have been posted from this past weekend's cross races. I placed a solid 5th in Saturday's race. That puts me in 6th overall in the single speed class. Racer Gibson is in 5th overall. It is mathematically possible that I could catch him, but highly, highly improbable. He has been faster than me the entire series until last Saturday. I also have to mark Ryan Ashbridge. He could easily move in front of me in the points standings (he has done 4 races, I have done 5). I have never beaten him, although I was only seconds behind him on Saturday. Next Saturday, I am going to ride fast. Nice mantra, no?

A Long Day

I was out the door this morning before 7:30. I drove to SLC for race #8 in the Utah Cyclocross Series. All day yesterday I continued to tell myself "I am going to ride fast, I am going to ride fast, I am going to ride fast." It's all mental. I did some research about the course and found out that it was "fast." I went to the shop last night at 10 pm at put on a bigger gear, 46/20. That's a big gear for me. I got there early and did the Men's C race as a warm up. In the single speed race, I worked hard to turn over my big gear coming out of each turn. It was probably my best race this year. I have no idea where I finished, but I know I could not have gone much faster. I was not really racing the top 5 guys, because I know I can't keep up with them. I was racing me, the guy who had to be forced to sprint out of each corner. My lungs burned. It hurt to go that fast. When I got off the bike, I felt no pain at all. Next week, "I am going to ride fast." It's all mental.

I opened up the shop today at 2 pm. I had only one customer all day. So, I put all the bikes back in the shop and came home before 5. Like the note on the door says, "if you need anything, call me, I'll be right in."

And Then It Snowed

All morning I kept looking to the northwest for a line of dark clouds. All I saw was Easter-egg blue. At lunch I looked out the window, and there it was, snow flurries. It came from the east, wrap around effect, from the low pressure center that went northeast of us. The Bear River Range mountains were covered in gray clouds and white snow. Still, the northwest sky was clear and blue. Neat-o.

I may have sold a Mono Cog and a Conquest today. Really neat-o. Other than two maybes, the bike business is really slow.

I finally have my bike set up as a single speed using the magic numbers 44/20. Half link, vertical dropouts, perfect chain tension, and no derailleur. It took a new wheel without a 10 speed free hub body, but now it's right. I will be racing in SLC on Saturday morning. Magic numbers will work on any bike. You can learn more by looking at this Magic Numbers site. Feel free to ask, if the fix me up site does not make sense.

Today's Haiku

The forecast said snow.
Migrating raptors float south
In a clear blue sky.

My Weekend

Like most weekends, mine went by really fast. I closed the shop and we spent most of Saturday looking for a place to live. House hunting falls into a familiar pattern. I see a lot of houses I do not want, and probably don't really know what I do want. The pattern repeats as we always ask ourselves "how long are we going to be here, and what is the probability of Patty getting a permanent position?" So, Saturday did not include a bike race in ID.

Yesterday I did get out for a good ride with Paul. We spun through Providence, Millville, and Hyrum, and then pedaled hard up Meridian Road and to the top of McMurdie Hollow. We turned around and coasted-wash boarded down to Paradise. We had a tail wind all the way home. After the ride, Patty and Amy got in a little spin before dark.

I will be back at the shop on Tuesday. Even if no one comes buy. I am willing to sell everything in the shop for some great deals. The end of the year is coming fast. I will probably close up for winter on December 15. That will be the last day. Then, the long drive to Florida for Christmas and most of January.

Cyckel

The Cyckels have been ordered. Who knows when they will get here. Until then, check out the picture and specs. Nice bicycle. Want one? OK, the above link does not work. Try this one and then click cycles, then click urban, then click cyckel. I wish they would just let me copy the picture.

Motivation

It is hard to find motivation the older I get. I want to get out and ride and get stronger, but I seldom do. Yesterday it was raining. And cold. Today, well...by the time I had the time and finally talked myself into getting on the bike it was 9:30. That late in the day, all alone in the cold, it is hard to make yourself ride with any real intensity. I did an hour around and around the graveyard and the Spectrum and the HPER field. My own little cyclocross course, complete with low headstones for barriers. The dead are not easily impressed. I'm home now, and it's hard to go right to bed. So, here I am writing this for you. And me, mostly.

The motivation
To go ride is hard to find
Gray hairs are easy

Racing is the only way to ride really hard. There is an opportunity to race in Pocatello on Saturday. I may go. If I do, the shop will be closed for the day. I am looking for car pool opportunities if anyone is interested.

There's a free entry
For car pools of four racers
Four in my car? Tight!

Haiku after midnight is just as hard as trying to get in a good ride. Sorry for the lame poetry. G'night.

Positive Experiences

I've had more positive experiences in the past four or five hours than most people have had all day. Early tonight I talked briefly to Matt Chester on the phone. Matt says I am still sponsored for life, so I hope to be riding another one of his works of art real soon. Monster Cross Fixed Gear Specific! Yee-haa! I have said many times before, "it's not about the bike, it's about the bike you are use to riding." That said, my Ute was the best riding bike I ever had. Describe it you ask. I can't. I just felt like the rear end floated and it climbed like crazy. Matt knows.

I had to cut my phone conversation with Matt short and go to the Second Annual Fondue Party at Uncle Alan's house. Fun. The best part is seeing the circle of friends. That's what I call it here in Logan. When you are in the minority, the circle is small and the circle is tight. Margee's amaretto white chocolate is still the best. Logan, Utah can grow on a person. Like mold.

At 10:30 I rode down to town and participated in an Alley Cat race, organized by the Moose Knuckler Alliance. Don't ask me, just go to the website. Then come back to mine. The race was short and sweet. "Go to Old Main Hill (USU campus) and to Lee's Market, and then head back." Once I figured out where Lee's was (I've never shopped there) I was in good shape. It was a whole lot of fun with a lot of great people. I did not win the race, however.

Yes, positive experiences. I am going for a long cyclocross bike ride in the morning. In a few hours. G'night.

No Cross in the Morning

I have re-injured my hand. So, no cross tomorrow. I will be in the shop at 11ish.

What is Cyclocross?

It is about 45 minuets of pain, when every fiber in your body is screaming for you to stop. STOP! But you don't. You keep going with your heart beating just about as fast as it can go. Then, when you are just about to throw up, you jump off your bike running, pick it up, jump over two low hurdles, jump back on your bike, and ride, all at full speed, all in one swell foop.

Why do I like cyclocross? Who knows? I am obviously not very good at it. I am better at longer races that require endurance and bicycle handling skills. It has been a long time since I have done serious bicycle racing, and I have missed it. These races seem like a good place to start again.

Home Again

Is Utah home? No, not really, but it is familiar, and that is good after being away for so long. Vermont was nice, but there is a reason that half the people living in Bozeman, Montana once lived in Vermont. As great as it is, it is not the mountain west. They don't even really have mountains in Vermont. There just big hills. I do want to go back again. Next time, I will take my bicycle.

As soon as we got back to Utah late last Thursday night, we started gearing up to hit the road again. We stayed in the Heber Valley Friday and yesterday. Heber is another beautiful place, quickly being reduced to starter castles as far as the eye can see. Yes, I said reduced. I did the cross race there and got dusted pretty good. I dropped back fast and stayed there, ending up 10th out of 14 finishers. Seventeen started. I have the usual excuses: no training, jet lag, sleep deprivation, dry sockets, and a broken hand. Throb, throb, throb. I will do better next week. Probably. Maybe.

The shop will be open on Tuesday. Come on buy.

Dennyland

I rode a borrowed bicycle at Dennyland yesterday. This maze of trails is located in the Mad River valley in Vermont. Like so many of the east coast, mtbr.com, playground type trails, they go nowhere (from what I could tell). They are just a series of small loops and interesting trail sections that are a real challenge to clean. A local named Scotty showed me around and around and around. If you like steep, rooty, twisty, granny gear trials type stuff with moss covered green granite rocks, this is the place. Dennyland reminds me of the trails I use to ride in Florida, with granite ledges and outcrops replacing limestone pits. If you focus on trying to clean the sections without dabbbing or falling over it is pretty fun. It's just not my kind of fun anymore. I really like going from point A to point B. The mountain west will do that to you.

There is one thing about Vermont. It is probably the last place without comercial development in its towns. No McDs, KFC, or Home Despot in any of the little towns. No trophy houses on the ridgelines. No subdivisions in all the farm fields. Yet. The people here seem to do a fantastic job of preserving what they have. Finally, someone has realized that short term service economy type gains are not as important as long term preservation of small town life and rural open space. Hats off.

We're Flying...

to Vermont in the morning. We will be at Patty's sister's house in Waitsfield for a few days and then in Albany, NY. I will be closed until Tuesday, November 6. My jaws are feeling better. I'm even ready for a bicycle ride. I will try to do a race while in Vermont, the Wicked Creepy in Bennington. As for the Utah series, I am now sitting in eight place overall in the single speed class. Three more places to go to reach my goal of top five.

Like Pulling Teeth

I had my wisdom teeth removed last night. This morning there seems to be no wisdom in that decision. Yes, it was just like pulling teeth, with an extra dose of discomfort. The dentist said it would have been easier 25 years ago, but 25 years ago another dentist said leave them in. The pain looked like the hot springs in Yellowstone, blue in the middle, with green, yellow and brown on the outside. Really, every time he tried to dig and pry the roots away from my jaw bone, that is what I saw, hot springs.

Other news? I raced in Ogden on Saturday. I finished 7th. All the fast dudes were there. I was not fast enough for the top five, but I did pass three people on the last two laps. It was the coldest, muddiest cross race I have ever done, and I have done cross in Montana in the snow. On Sunday the alarm rang to wake me up to go to SLC for the race at Wheeler Park. I turned it off and slept two more hours. Getting into the top five in the points standings looks impossible at this point. We will see.

One thing is for sure. My jaw hurts. I do not feel like going to the shop or getting on the bike.

You Can Still Ride

The air's getting cold
Golden leaves cover the streets
But you can still ride

Put on some wool socks
Base layer, jacket, and gloves
Slow down a little

Reduce tire pressure
Give yourself some extra time
Leave your car at home

Come to my bike shop
And buy a good set of lights
Want rechargeable?

Slower and Faster

The bicycle business is slowing down. Way down. I don't think I even made the rent today. I am still doing repairs, but no one is buying new bicycles. That's alright. They will; the price of oil reached $88 per barrel today. Next spring we will all be pedaling to work, school, and to the grocery stores. With that in mind, I bought 4 new beach cruisers today. Later this week I may order more close-out Redline commuter and mountain bikes. As soon as I can get the Cayne Scythe, a three speed, lugged steel, road commuter, I will. I am excited about this bike!

As I blogged (bragged) last time, I had a good race this past weekend, riding a lot faster on the new bike. The points for the series were posted today and I sit at 9th out of 22. I am now officially in the top ten. The sad part is that the bottom ten have only done one race while the top ten have all done two or three. OK, so I am 9th out of 10. My goal is to get faster and move into the top five by the time the series is over. There are two races this weekend. I hope I ride fast.

Fall is changing to winter here. I rode Sunday morning and there was quite a bit of frost on the ground. Tonight there is lightning in the sky. I plan on riding in the morning, even if I wake up to snow.

Goodnight.

Hamlin Cracks the Top Five

It's not hard to do when there are only seven people in the race. That said, I did ride a lot stronger in last Saturday's race. I was in third for a long time. I slowed down near the end and got passed by two riders. I caught one. I was drafting him down the straightaway thinking there was one lap to go. There wasn't. Oh well. I'm just happy to be riding faster and to be just a few seconds away from third place. I may even train this week.

New News

I will be racing in Salt Lake City on Saturday. The shop will be open as soon as I get there, around 1:30 or so. The hand hurts but I plan to race anyway. I am currently 15th out of 20 in the singlespeed point standings. I have to move up, pain or no pain.

The weather had been really nice this week. Clear blue skies and warm days. I had a good ride on Monday. Paul V. and I rode up Green Canyon. There was snow on the ground from the picnic area on up. Patty and her sister Deanna went up there for a ride too. They hiked a little in ankle deep snow at the end of the road. Today, most of it has melted. Winter is coming on for sure. The sand hill cranes have left (passed overhead). The hawks and eagles are passing through too. There are large flocks of waxwings eating Juniper berries and flying into the windows. Today the wind is picking up out of the southwest. Another cold front is on the way. On the other hand, I have heard meadow larks and Townsend's solitaires singing their heads off this week. So, who knows?

Seven, six, and five
Snow levels are falling fast
With each new cold front

A Great Day For a Cyclocross Race

There is a cyclocross race today, but I will not be there. I am letting my hand heal, and still trying to find 37mm spacers to fit a 10 speed freehub body. As I write this, snow is starting to fall. The shop will be open today. Come buy a bike.

Snow in the valley
The first snow of the season
Falling on green grass

Here I Am, Stuck in the Middle

I did a cyclocross race yesterday. It was my first real race in a long time. Real because I paid for it, did not wear Daisy Duke's, and did not ride fixed gear. I finished right in the middle. I was on a new bike with a bad chain line (it turns out regular old spacers and cogs will not work on 10 speed cassette bodies). I had too little gear (my only single speed choice right now is magic numbers with a half-link), and I rode with a dislocated right hand and a lot of road rash on my knees and arse. Yeah, I practiced a little. I figured I better learn to ride the new bike at speed. On Friday, 48 hours before race time, I hit the pavement pretty hard. I'm still learning I guess. So much for my many excuses. I started out near the front, slipped to the middle of the pack on the first lap, and stayed right there the rest of the race. Next week I plan to move up a little. I'm thinking a nine speed cassette body for good chain line, less pain, and more training.

Big H

On the weather map there is a big giant H floating over my head. The clouds that were wrapped around the mountains for the last three days are gone. The sky is Easter egg, big cold-front blue. The mountain tops are dusted white with snow. Below the snow the maples are every shade of red. It may get up to 60 today, perfect riding weather. Yeah, I plan to ride today. It will be my first ride in eight days. That fact just demonstrates my diligence in training for the rapidly approaching cyclocross series. I guess I'm training hard mentally. I have read that being mentally prepared for a bike race is very important. Important when you run up the hill with the bike on your shoulder and pass out from lack of Oxygen.

Snow

Precipitation
Falls frozen on the mountains
As the sun goes down

Tonight

I'm riding tonight
Strapping on the TurboCats
Up Logan Canyon

I'm an angry man
Riding quenches rage within
Turning leaves calm me

Knee to Rock

I have been waiting to post this picture and link for a while. Take a look at Patty's work. She is brilliant and beautiful. Beautiant. Smart and sexy. Smexy.

I got in a great ride yesterday with Paul G. We went up Stump Hollow and did a loop via Little Bear and the Turkey Trail. There was plenty of up, down, hike-a-bike, and one good tumble. I just could not get my foot out in time while crossing a boulder field in Peter Sinks. Knee to rock says it all. That Stump Hollow trail is not very good. I would not recommend it.

Fall is here. The maples are going off in Logan Canyon up by Tony Grove.

Crimson red maples
Under the yellow aspen
Painted mountain sides

One More Thing

I wanted to mention again, I will be playing and singing at the Gardner's Market on Wednesday at 5:30. The market is at the courthouse on Main Street each Wednesday. Come on out. Buy some veggies.

The Pendulum Swings

A few weeks ago, Dave B. at Seattle Bike Supply made me buy a bike. A bike with gears. OK, I guess I wanted it. I have not purchased a derailleured bicycle since 1998. I almost made it a decade only riding a single speed bicycle. I have not purchased a new bike since the Matt Chester Ute, seven years ago. So, now I'm shifting. If Matt Chester is going to build frames with derailleur hangers, I can ride a bike with gears. I own a bike shop, and I probably should be riding and racing the bicycles that I sell. Dave, thanks for the pro deal.

My new bike you ask? It is an 08 Redline Conquest Team(the bike in the picture is not my bike). Fun you ask? I have not ridden it very much, but I must admit it is a blast to go really fast in the flats. Now I can even go on a road ride with a group. I plan on doing the Utah Cyclocross Series which begins in a few weeks. I plan on doing the single speed race on the Monocog 29er with my drop bars and thin tires (click here for the Strong story) and then getting my rear spanked, kicked, and bruised by doing the A race on the new bike. Good training, no? I will blog more once I get in a few good rides on the new bike.

The Storm

The air was humid
Before our last thunderstorm
Almost like back home

Yesterday

Yesterday, Ryan finally took home his 08 Conquest. What a pretty blue bike with matching blue on the saddle and bar wrap.

Kristen got her Conquest Sport. Like several other Recycled & New Bicycles' customers, she works at Common Ground Outdoor Adventures. They do great work. Kristen pronounces one syllable words like they have two or three, just like I do. She is from Alabama. Roll Tide?

A while back I was the "official" bicycle suppler to the employees at Crumb Brothers. Five employees from Cafe Ibis have purchased bikes. Now it looks like I can add Common Ground to the list. Thank you everyone!

Yesterday I blogged that I only had three Redline R530s left. Today I only have two. Again, hurry. I will order more.

I have a gig tonight at our neighborhood block party. I will be playing around 7:30 at the pavilion behind the church at 1000 N and 1250 E near Evergreen Drive (think northeast of the Logan Cemetery).

I am also scheduled to play at the Cache Valley Gardner's Market on Wednesday at 5:30 at the downtown courthouse.

When will I go for a bike ride? I can not write baiku if I do not ride.

They Are Going Fast

Last Friday, I blogged about all the new Redline 530s I received. European sophistication indeed. Well, there are only 3 women's left. The men's are gone! So, hurry before they are all gone. Seriously, these bikes are so good, I will be ordering more in all sizes.

A Paid Endorsment?

My best buddy John forwarded the email below. It's good to know I'm doing a few things right. Notice that I haven't posted emails from all the people I've pissed off.

"Hey! So I took your advice when I saw you in Rob's bike shop about going to him for any bike need and I am grateful I did! I never thought riding my bike could be so enjoyable-and I wish I would have realized sooner that with a little bike tune-up there would be a lot less physical pain and exertion! It is amazing what he can do with the bike! But what else would you expect from a guy like him, eh?"

Fireweed

When I lived in Montana, fall's harbinger was watching the fireweeds lose there blossoms. Within a few weeks of all the flowers falling to the ground we would get our first snow of the fall. It does not happen that quickly here in Utah, but when I see the fluffy seed heads on the fireweed, I know fall has arrived. I look for the first cold front and dark clouds in the northwest sky. I think about cyclocross season. I think about snow, mud, tights, arm warmers, and cold toes.

The last pink petals
From the Epilobium
Just fell to the ground.

What a Week

The last three days have been crazy. There is nothing like doing repairs from 10pm to 3 o'clock in the morning. There is nothing like selling used Burley trailers, new trailers, used bikes (was it four or five?) and new bikes (three just today!). It looks like I'll be able to pay the rent on Tuesday. Thank you customers. Thank you. Will I be able to pay for the twenty-five new bikes? I hope so.

It looks like I will stay busy for a while. I have a whole bunch of repairs to do. Ryan D. gets his 08 Conquest on Tuesday or Wednesday after waiting for a whole month. Thank you for your patience, Ryan. I will order an Atlas trike for Pat G. on Tuesday.

So much for staying small. It looks like I found some good help for building bikes. Bryan showed up on Tuesday and answered "the" interview question. He was the first one to get it correct out of about a dozen people who have asked to build bikes. The question, you ask? "My bike shifts perfect on the first three or four cogs. On the next four it gets worse and worse. What is wrong with my bike?" If you know the answer, post it in the comments section. A small latte to the first correct answer. Ike has also been building some bicycles for me. Thanks guys. I ain't no rock. I ain't no island.

Comfort Bikes, Single Speeds, Road and Cross

A big FedEx Freight truck delivered over 25 bikes to the shop today. If there is anyone out there reading this in need of a bike, come see me. The majority of the bikes are Redline 530s and 520s. Both models are big wheeled (700c) bikes with an upright position, front shocks, seat post shocks, and Slime tubes. The 530s are the Euro bikes complete with internal 7 speed, drum brakes, full fenders, rack, and full-cover chain guard (no grease, no brake dust). What a bike!

I also have single speeds, road bikes, and cyclocross bikes.

Bring cash or check.

Another Ride

I was on my bike at 6:30 this morning. I rode up Green Canyon for a change. Fall has left its early fingerprints on the vegetation. Some mornings have been quite chilly, even down into the upper 40s. This morning I wore a windbreaker; and my hands and feet were cold.

Maples and aspen
Have lost their bright green luster,
Now soft yellow-green

On my way down the sun came over the mountains, rising into a clear blue sky. It was so drastic seeing the trail change instantly from shadow to bright sun. It wasn't just the change from dark to light, it was the effect of the bicycle's motion over the trail. Rolling fast down a single track gives the illusion of the whole world rushing past you as if you were standing still. The instantaneous contrast between shadow and sun combined with speed blinded me.

From shadow to sun
My world bright, flying past me
Blind, for a moment.

I am still getting use to my new bike. She don't climb, she don't climb, terrain.

My new bike climbs slow
Compared to the old one, or,
Perhaps it's just me.

Chinese Graduate Students' Bicycles

I know it has been said many times before, but it's really "not about the bike." It's about the bike you are used to riding. The bike I'm used to is dead. Perhaps dead for a long time, although a new chain stay is not out of the question. The new bike is fine, it's just not my bike. Yet. I have tried to keep my position and feel with my drop bars, stem, wheels, and saddle. The only thing really new is the frame. I rode it with Patty today. We had a good ride. We realized how lucky we are to live in a place where a real mountain bike ride, in real mountains, beside a mountain stream, is just outside our door. The new bike did pretty good. The biggest change is that the rear wheel is just a lot farther back than on the Strong. I will learn to climb with more weight over the rear wheel.

We live just a few blocks from USU's married student housing. Picture the bike racks there full of Next and Huffy bicycles in various states of disrepair and oxidation, all with low tire pressure (TT riders can substitute their experiences near UF's married student housing. Chinese graduate students' bicycles are the same everywhere you go). With this image in mind, here is Today's baiku:

North bound, west sidewalk
Uphill, big ring, walking speed
Crank clanking kickstand

They Come in Threes

A few weeks ago I found a big crack in my Ute. Patty has been riding it for the past three years so I guess she can take the blame. Well, that would not be fair at all. I rode that bike really hard for five years. I stripped the Ute and put some of the parts on my Strong monster cross. The broken frame hangs in my basement, never to see the light of day again.

Last week I began to hear a creak from the front end of the Strong. I checked the bars and stem. I noticed the fork was a little twisted and that no-hand riding resulted in a pull to the right. Yesterday, close inspection revealed a big crack in the bend of the fork. I put on a new fork last night. This morning I woke up early to go for a ride. I flipped the flop to head up the trail and there on the chain stay at the track-end was a big crack. My baby is broke. Like the Ute, I have ridden this bike hard year-round for four years. I hold only myself responsible for the failures, not the frame and fork manufactures. Problems or defects would have shown up years ago, especially the way I ride. It is not a coincidence that the fork and frame broke at the same time, with the exact same amount of cyclic fatigue. It's also interesting to note that steel and ti never fail catastrophically. The failures happen slowly over time. With Aluminum, I probably would have walked home.

Now what do I do? More than one person has told me I should ride what I sell. Looks like I may be riding a Redline Monocog 29er, for a few years anyway. I bet I could break one of those too after four or five years of JRA Robert style.

Free Mini Concert

I will playing a few new songs (new for me, and never performed by me) at the USU Amphitheater on Wednesday August 22 at 2:00 pm. The Amphitheater is tucked in on the south end of Old Main Hill. There will be a captive audience, but all are welcome. The more the merrier and the better I will sing.

I will be doing songs by Texas singer-songwriters James McMurtry, Michelle Shocked, and probably at least one by Robert Earl Keen. The theme is change, reflection, and personal growth. You can take what you want. I'm not being pushy.

Hints of Fall

The monsoons return
Lighting the evening sky
Too late for brown plants

Geranium leaves
Now crimson, yellow, orange
Their chlorophyll gone

Pica pica wings
Growing flocks swirl black, white, green
On gold wheat stubble

A baiku for Tom

I'm growing old fast.
My knees, ankles, and back fail,
Like new broken spokes.

Social Work

"Can you fix this bike?
I don't have any money.
It is for my son."

Tubes, tire, and used chain
Bike repair is social work.
The boy rides, and smiles.



The Immigrant

"The other bike shop
They sent me here for a wheel.
This one does not work.

This bike cost ten bucks.
I bought it at the DI.
The gears do not work."



The Grandfather

"Here's my daughter's bike.
She's back in Guatemala.
So, she can't pay you.

She's not coming back.
So, you can have her kid's bikes.
Are they worth something?"



Homeless

"That bike you gave me?
I left it in Idaho,
Because the fork broke.

The old bike's still here?
The one with the leather strap
On the derailleur?"

He rides away, south.
Dirty rags and torn blue tarp
His stench in the air.

A Busy Day

Busy is good. July was quite slow. Quite a few bicycles went out the door today, two recycled bicycles (24 inch wheeled kids bikes) , a Monocog 29er, and a Redline 520. Eva is getting a Conquest Sport on Tuesday. Thanks Eva and Mikie. Busy.

After work I took off my cracked crankset. It was the last crankset from my stash of old Deore DXs. I replaced it with the Raceface set from my Matt Chester Utilitiman (after many years of hard riding, the Ute has a crack at the bottom of the downtube-headtube joint, Matt, if you ever read this, I need a repair job). I put on a pair of DiaComp levers for V-brakes, the brakes from the Ute, a new free wheel and chain, and removed the two fixed cogs. My bike is now a drop bared, 180mm cranked, 32/20 single speed 29er, sort of. One look at it and it's still just a cross bike.

At 8 am tomorrow, me and Hoda ride. Yes, I am going for a ride.

Got Computer?

Yes, I do, for now. Dr. Windbag dropped off his old laptop this morning. So, just as soon as I have something clever to say or compose an extra good baiku I will post it.

I'm Here...

...working, selling bicycles, and even riding a little bit. I'm still without a computer (mixed blessings). Come in to the shop and see me. I'll be there.

Yes, I'm Alive

I'm even kicking. My computer, however, is quite dead. So, updates and posts will be few and far between. That's ok, though. Turn off the computers, get on your bikes, and ride. Come by the shop and see me in the non-virtual way.

The Cowboy

Late Saturday afternoon an old cowboy came into the shop. He was a real cowboy. He had bowlegs, broken misshaped fingers, hat, boots, big truck, and the kind of handlebar moustache only a real cowboy could have. He saw me looking at his fingers and he just said, "years of team ropin'." He had a cowboy demeanor too, blunt, to the point, and pragmatic. "I ain't buyin' no more diesel. Show me what you got." I showed him my last Sun Rover in a box. "What does it do?" I wanted to tell him it was a bicycle, what do you mean what does it do, please don't waste my time. "Can you put 'er together right now?" I told him no, I was just real busy. He said if I could put it together he would buy it. "OK", I said. "I'll put it together." He grew cold and began to back away. "Hold on there partner," I said, in my best cowboy vernacular. "I told you I would build it. Do we have a deal?" I stuck out my hand and looked him in the eye. He hesitated, and then shook my hand. An hour and a half later he paid for his bike. "I ain't buyin' no more diesel," he said again, and he rode away, into the sunset.

Bicycle of the Month

The Bicycle of the Month is the Redline Conquest Sport. This bicycle can do it all: Road, Cyclocross, Touring, and Commuting. It has braze-ons for front and rear racks, in-line brake levers on the tops, room for full fenders and big tires, and clipless pedals, all for only $699. "Ver-sa-til-i-ty Mon" (read that quote again in your best Jamaican accent)!

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.

An Update for Lynn (and the other two or three people reading this)

The lease is signed and dated. The new address was sent to Phone Directories and to the State of Utah. As soon as the landlord removes his junk, I will get started on repairs and moving my junk (used bikes and parts) into the basement. The list of things to do is quite long. I need a City license, signs, paint, tile, flooring, slat wall and hooks, lettering removed from the windows, lots of cleaning, liability insurance, completed new vendor applications, a digital camera to take pictures of the shop to prove I am a shop to said vendors, and lots of new bicycles. The things that require money will take a while. If all goes well I should be open with existing inventory, ready to do repairs in two or three weeks. I sound stressed out but I am pretty excited. Perhaps that is why I am posting at 12:40 AM.

I will be live at Cafe Ibis this Sunday, February 4, for late brunch, 12:30 - 2:30. I will have a few new songs (Sun Kil Moon, and a short set of "protest songs") as well as the usual Texas singer-songwriter covers (yes, an extended Robert Earl Keen set). I may even do some kid music. Please come and listen. Please buy food and coffee.

So Much For That Idea

Gees, Louise! Recycled (and new) Bicycles will not be opening at 55 W Center. It turns out that another tenant has an option to lease more space behind Great Harvest. The short story is, I am out. Quick, call Dex and tell them to forget about the address change I changed last week. Call Lowes and cancel that order for slat wall. What a pain in the anus.

I am looking again for a space. Small spots with reasonable rents are not easy to find in downtown Logan, Utah. I went yesterday to look at 170 E Center. It is not perfect by any means, but I may be able to make it work. If I want to re-open soon, I do not have a lot of choices. I am down, but not out. And now, a haiku for all the Preparation H users and women who have birthed several children:

It's like a plump grape
burning, itching, and swollen
blocking my rectum.

Shop News

I am gearing up to re-open soon. It looks like the spot behind Great Harvest is a go. I do not have a lease yet, but I hope to soon. Right now the time frame looks to be early to late February. I will be working on licenses and shop set up in the coming days. I am also working on getting in bicycles by Redline, On One, and Planet X.

With the cold weather, I have not done any long rides, just the normal commuting. The air outside is not healthy. It looks like basketball again today. I love basketball.

Biria Touring City Bicycles

I have one 17" blue Biria TC3 with lights and one 17" maroon Biria TC8 without lights still in stock. Full fenders are perfect for melting snow. Big 700c wheels make these bicycles perfect commuters. Call me for a test ride.

Shop News

I am getting closer to finding a shop location. It looks like the spot behind Great Harvest may work out. Stay tuned.

Blood in the Snow

Red blood on white snow
Disappears when the wind blows
Wiping the slate clean

The older I get the more I think about my childhood. I probably remember less but I think about it more. I am old enough to remember movies in elementary school, real movies on reels that were shown with a projector in a dark room. When the movies were over we always begged the teacher to show them backwards. That was the best part of any movie, people running backward, smoke coiling down into a fire, snow falling up, and water climbing out of a mouth and back into its glass. I also remember one of my favorite childhood toys, a Magic Drawing Board. It was a Mylar sheet over a soft black plastic board with a red plastic stylus. When the Mylar sheet was lifted your work would disappear with an ear pleasing "shhrriiip."

Yesterday's ride began in the sun. The sky over Cache Valley was blue and the air was calm. Above the Bear River Range, layers of dark-grey angry clouds swirled in opposite directions. Patty had spent the morning near Beaver and told me about the "blizzard" going on up there. "How bad could it be," I thought, as I rolled along the Shoreline Trail and up Green Canyon.

The road up Green Canyon had been groomed on Friday and was covered with a few inches of fresh snow. Near the second gate the snow was deeper and the going was not so easy. I put my head down and started to sweat. Suddenly, the movie began to play backwards. I looked up and saw a familiar dog. Then, I saw Kris Homel and two friends walking down the road wearing worried but determined looks on their faces. One of them had a paper towel hanging from his nose. We passed so quickly, there was only time to exchange "hey," not enough time to ask about the paper towel twisted into the friend's nostril. As I followed their footprints up the trail, the movie in reverse effect became overpowering. There on the fresh powder, every 50 yards or so, was a bright red drop of blood. The wind began to blow. The snow got deeper. I pushed on. The drops of blood began to appear closer and closer together. Then, there in the snow, I saw numerous footprints where all three had been standing around for some time. Off to the right was a circle of blood one or two feet wide. Beyond the blood were footprints stumbling, and beyond them, footprints running.

I rode on, working harder and harder. The snow got deeper. I took off my balaclava. The sweat froze in my hair. All of the foot prints disappeared. It was just me, alone, making tracks in the un-tracked snow. As I neared the end of the road the wind began to blow harder. It blew me up the canyon and pushed me along. Then it swirled and stopped me dead in my tracks. The ridge lines above were veiled in tumbling dark clouds, close enough to touch. The snow became too deep to ride. I walked a while, and then I turned around, blinded by the blowing snow.

Riding down was easy and fast. The blowing snow was quickly erasing my tracks. When I reached the area of the stumbling footprints and blood, they were nearly covered with drifting snow. "Shhrriiipp." My world had become a Magic Drawing Board.

She Can Read!

It's my blog. I can write about things other than bicycles. I want to tell everyone how quickly my child, Lupine, is learning to read. Yesterday, I went to kindergarten with Lupine to help out. Some of the children can read quite well. Some can barely write their names. One little girl, Andi, reads on a second or third grade level. "Wow, she reads so well," I told her Mom. "Have you heard of Starfall?" she said.

There was a time when I would make fun of people who had cell phones, walking and driving around while having the most important of conversations. There was a time when I was sure too many people were spending way too much time on the Internet. Gees, who needs an Internet forum about single speed bicycles? Why is there a web site for fixed gear off road bicycles? Well, we all change don't we. I have a cell phone and I will never have a land line again. Call me, not my house, right? I have not posted to the mtbr single speed site in over two years, but there was a time when Juan Speed (me) was all over this forum. My point is this: you have to keep your finger on the pulse of modern technology or you may miss out on some valuable information and tools. Just use your finger rather than your entire body and soul. How could I have not known about starfall? Where have I been?

Lupine and I went to the starfall site last night. She quickly went through the first three steps on the Learn to Read page. That Zac the Rat is some character isn't he? This morning Lupine has completed steps 4, 5, and 6. In less than a day she has gone from tentatively and painfully sounding out a few words to actually reading. This site is just incredible. It is very interactive. If there is a word she can't sound out she can click on it for help. Each step builds on itself. Wow. You have to check it out. My sister Lynn is going to love it!

Thanks starfall.com
for helping Lupine to read.
Wow, technology.

Mary Bar Report

Update. Look Here.


The On One Mary Bar is now on my Strong. This bar is a very neat trick and treat. I have not done a real hard ride with steep climbing and steep single track, but for easy trails, fire roads, commuting, and pulling Lupine in the Burley trailer, they are pretty darn good. Yes, the long grip section gives you a lot of choices. The forward bend puts you in a position, relative to the end of the stem, that is similar to regular bars. However, your hands are at 40 degrees rather than the normal 0 to 10 degrees. For my wrecked wrists, this is a very comfortable position. It has been a long time since I have even used a traditional bar. I have been using On One's Midge Bar. I like this bar too. It is the best drop bar I have ever had, and I even rode WTB Dirt Drops for a while (no link, they are no longer made last I heard).

The real test will be climbing the steep stuff. They may put my hands too far behind the stem; and bar ends are not going to work with these bars for obvious reasons. A full report will follow in the spring. Until then, if you want a pair of these bars, let me know. I have plenty for sale. They are $65. I plan to carry all of On One's stuff in the new shop.

Update. Look here.

Bars with funny bends
are suddenly all the rage.
But they fit my hands!

Today's Baiku

I've got to go ride
damn the snow fog inversion
and the winter cold