Sunday, March 30, 2008
R.E. Load Baggage
I only have two R.E. Load messenger bags left. So, I am putting together another order. If you want custom colors and options, let me know. These bags are the best I have ever seen. I did a lot of research. There is not a better bag out there.
I Opened The Box
I opened Pandora's Box today (thanks Christy and Lisa). I wont say anything more than this; I finally have a "radio station" that plays the music I like. It's free and there are no commercials. Try it.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The Snow Is Gone
The snow pile in front of Recycled & New Bicycles melted this week. It all officially disappeared on March 24. That means I win the "Guess The Day The Snow Pile Melts" game. My guess was March 23. Justin guessed April 4, and Anonymous guessed March 31. It's not fair, really. I've always been a careful observer of nature. Like Thoreau and Leopold, I've been known to record the dates when certain plants bloom and leaf out, and when the sand hill cranes depart and return (in case you have never noticed, the sand hill crane is my animal spirit guide).
It's in our genes, if we just listen hard enough. Humans evolved as a hyper-vigilant species. As our earliest ancestors walked the African savannas looking for their next meal, they were also looking over their shoulders for lions and other predators, looking for their next meal. Early humans knew where to find food, water, and shelter in each season. They knew when each fruit ripened and when each water hole dried up. They knew which plants were good to eat and which had medicinal properties. They knew when the rains would begin and end. They knew the phase of the moon, and what it meant when the wind blew hard out of the southwest. The actions of other animals in their world had direct meaning (see animal spirit guide above). In short, they were directly connected to the natural world, and hyper-vigilant about their surroundings.
What does it all mean for us? Well, we are still hyper-vigilant. We love stimulation. Again, it's genetic. Responding to changes in our environment (stimuli) allowed us to survive and our brains to grow. The problem is that we have replaced the natural world with artificial stimuli: the automobile, TV, Hollywood, fast food, Dancing With The Stars, drugs, consumer goods, sex, and computers.
So, get outside. Ride you bike or go for a hike. The direction of the wind, the sound of running water, the phase of the moon, that bird singing in the tree, the purple flower, the sound of the wind in the trees, they all have an something very important to tell you. There is more stimuli out there than one could ever process. Global warming is not something you read about. It's something you see, hear, and feel. When I first began recording the departure of sand hill cranes from north Florida in the early 1980's it was always the first week of March (right around my birthday). Today, 25 years later, they consistently leave two to three weeks earlier, in mid to late February.
Enough. I'm hungry and I do not know where my next meal is coming from. Good thing I know the location of both Burger Kings.
It's in our genes, if we just listen hard enough. Humans evolved as a hyper-vigilant species. As our earliest ancestors walked the African savannas looking for their next meal, they were also looking over their shoulders for lions and other predators, looking for their next meal. Early humans knew where to find food, water, and shelter in each season. They knew when each fruit ripened and when each water hole dried up. They knew which plants were good to eat and which had medicinal properties. They knew when the rains would begin and end. They knew the phase of the moon, and what it meant when the wind blew hard out of the southwest. The actions of other animals in their world had direct meaning (see animal spirit guide above). In short, they were directly connected to the natural world, and hyper-vigilant about their surroundings.
What does it all mean for us? Well, we are still hyper-vigilant. We love stimulation. Again, it's genetic. Responding to changes in our environment (stimuli) allowed us to survive and our brains to grow. The problem is that we have replaced the natural world with artificial stimuli: the automobile, TV, Hollywood, fast food, Dancing With The Stars, drugs, consumer goods, sex, and computers.
So, get outside. Ride you bike or go for a hike. The direction of the wind, the sound of running water, the phase of the moon, that bird singing in the tree, the purple flower, the sound of the wind in the trees, they all have an something very important to tell you. There is more stimuli out there than one could ever process. Global warming is not something you read about. It's something you see, hear, and feel. When I first began recording the departure of sand hill cranes from north Florida in the early 1980's it was always the first week of March (right around my birthday). Today, 25 years later, they consistently leave two to three weeks earlier, in mid to late February.
Enough. I'm hungry and I do not know where my next meal is coming from. Good thing I know the location of both Burger Kings.
Monday, March 24, 2008
A View From The Top
This was the view from the top of Cache Valley's Meridian Road on Sunday's ride with Ike. That's Idaho, 40 miles to the north. We ride every Sunday from Caffe Ibis at 9:00 am if anyone reading this wants to come along. No, Jimbo Smartypants, that's not your Meridian Road, snow and live oaks just don't mix. But, check out the jersey. Thank you Jimbo! I love it because it has a zippered pocket. When it's cold out, a zippered collar is not necessary. The air temperature at the start of Sunday's ride was 22. Burr.
Photo by Ike. The Hound Dog saw this photo and wrote this baiku. Thanks, Chip.
Leagues of iced gravel
Flat equals frozen carcass
Must...reach...Idaho
Just for comparison purposes, here is a picture of Jimbo's Meridian Road, located in Tallahassee, Florida.
Photo by Ike. The Hound Dog saw this photo and wrote this baiku. Thanks, Chip.Leagues of iced gravel
Flat equals frozen carcass
Must...reach...Idaho
Just for comparison purposes, here is a picture of Jimbo's Meridian Road, located in Tallahassee, Florida.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Tour De G'ville Roll Out
Here is a video of the roll out from the 08 Tour De G'ville. I sure wish I could have been there. It's 100k of Gainesville, Florida's trails. Just wait until next year.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Too Busy To Blog
The madness begins. Four bikes went out the door yesterday, one went out today, and three go out tomorrow (one of which is not done yet). Thank you customers. I truly appreciate your business.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Today's Baiku, I Guess It Really Is Spring
As we pedaled
The rattle of sand hill cranes
Returning again
The rattle of sand hill cranes
Returning again
A Testimonial
Two bikes went out the door yesterday. Thank you customers! Two more should go out on Thursday. I will be in the shop late tonight building them. Here is Trey's Testimonial with a lot of pictures of his New Baby. Thanks Trey.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
We Had A Great Ride Last Night
The ride to L.D.'s in Richmond last night was a lot of cold fun. We had six make the trip: Ike, Lauren, Lukas, Erin, and myself. Mark met us on the outskirts of Richmond and rode with us for a while and joined us for food. Thanks everyone. Being a part of a "community" makes me feel great. The photographs are Ike's, stolen from his blog. There are a few more there. Lukas has some really good pictures too.
"Saddle up, we're burnin' daylight."
The long cold ride home.
"Saddle up, we're burnin' daylight."
The long cold ride home.
Another Great Video From the Brits
I got this video from the WestfieldWander. This video is just as good as Do The Test. Both are brilliant. I guess I am becoming a real bicycle advocate as of late. Anyone who rides a bicycle is a bicycle advocate, no?
Monday, March 17, 2008
Winter
Yes, I must admit, it is still winter in Logan, Utah. Here is a shot from Saturday of Lupine on the still frozen, snow covered, Bear Lake.
I plan on doing Ike's St. Patrick's Day Ride to Richmond tonight at 5:30 (meet near the Ibis). I'm sure temperatures will be just above freezing before we get there. I'm putting the chemical toe warmers into my shoes.
Recycled & New Bicycles will be open Tuesday from 12 to 6. Come on buy and solve my cash flow problems.
I plan on doing Ike's St. Patrick's Day Ride to Richmond tonight at 5:30 (meet near the Ibis). I'm sure temperatures will be just above freezing before we get there. I'm putting the chemical toe warmers into my shoes.
Recycled & New Bicycles will be open Tuesday from 12 to 6. Come on buy and solve my cash flow problems.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Another Missed Ride
All my Florida friends did their "Tour de G'ville" today. I missed out. Just wait until next year. Here is a baiku for you all:
Wish I had been there
To smell the yellow jasmine
And ride with my friends
I know the posts have been short as of late. The shop is starting to get busy even though it is still snowing every other day. I plan on doing a ride in the morning with Ike, so it's time for bed.
As I pedaled down the hill this morning on the way to the shop, I saw so many willow trees down on the Island, growing bright yellow and gold against a snowy backdrop. Spring is close at hand.
Swollen willow buds
Yellow and Gold promises
Of impending green
Wish I had been there
To smell the yellow jasmine
And ride with my friends
I know the posts have been short as of late. The shop is starting to get busy even though it is still snowing every other day. I plan on doing a ride in the morning with Ike, so it's time for bed.
As I pedaled down the hill this morning on the way to the shop, I saw so many willow trees down on the Island, growing bright yellow and gold against a snowy backdrop. Spring is close at hand.
Swollen willow buds
Yellow and Gold promises
Of impending green
Friday, March 14, 2008
Do The Test
Ike found this site, so I had to put a link here too. It is great! Do The Test. It only takes 30 seconds, and you will probably fail. I did.
St. Patrick's Day Ride
My buddy Ike is leading a ride on Monday, March 17. Just follow the link for details. I will be there on Das fixed gear Vinterbike.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Klean Kanteens Are Here!
Recycled & New Bicycles now has Klean Kanteen water bottles. Come and get them! I have the 40 oz. and 27 oz bottles with your choice of tops (they are all interchangeable). I even have stainless steel tops and nylon slings.
A Meadowlark Day
Today was my first ride of 2008 without frozen, numb toes. As I write this, it is 45 degrees outside. Blistering hot! The snow is melting and the birds are singing.
My ride today was a slow slog on Das Fixed Vinterbike. I had nothing more to give than soft pedaling. Soft pedaling is better than no pedaling. It is interesting, so much of riding a bicycle, or any physical exercise for that matter, is mental. If you just don't have the ability to make yourself turn over the pedals, it's going to be a long slow ride.
The meadowlark sings
A musical reprimand
To lingering snow
My ride today was a slow slog on Das Fixed Vinterbike. I had nothing more to give than soft pedaling. Soft pedaling is better than no pedaling. It is interesting, so much of riding a bicycle, or any physical exercise for that matter, is mental. If you just don't have the ability to make yourself turn over the pedals, it's going to be a long slow ride.
The meadowlark sings
A musical reprimand
To lingering snow
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Snow Pile Is Shrinking
I can't believe no one wants to venture a guess on the melt date of the pile of snow in front of the shop. It is about 3 feet high right now and melting fast today. My guess is still March 23. Come on, leave your guess in the comments section. Spring is on the way.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Hot Water
We made it to Maple Grove today. The hot water was divine. I only pedaled part of the way there via Richmond, Mountain Home Road, Cove, and Franklin. Patty picked me up at La Tienda. I was a little down than no one wanted to come with us or pedal with me, but I know people are busy. We saw deer, swans, geese, a great horned owl, a bald eagle, and lots of snow.
The bald eagle flew
Higher, climbing in circles
Over the mountain
It was only a few degrees above freezing today, but there are some signs of Spring out there. I saw towhees singing their heads off, along with chickadees, robins, and other returning birds. I also saw downy woodpeckers and killdeer today. The yellow warblers will return just as soon as the cottonwoods break bud.
Recycled & New Bicycles will be open for regular hours this week and from here on out. Things will be getting busy, so come on in. I have had some phone calls asking about repair prices. As many of you know, I do not do "set price" tune ups. I fix what needs to be fixed on your bike. I do not charge for work that I do not do, and I do not charge for work that does not need to be done. A tune up may cost you $20 or it may cost you $60. It may cost $100 or it may be free. If you want an estimate I will be glad to give you one. I think I do the best work in town for the best price. If you want to insult or haggle, please, take your bicycle some where else. Repair rant over.
The bald eagle flew
Higher, climbing in circles
Over the mountain
It was only a few degrees above freezing today, but there are some signs of Spring out there. I saw towhees singing their heads off, along with chickadees, robins, and other returning birds. I also saw downy woodpeckers and killdeer today. The yellow warblers will return just as soon as the cottonwoods break bud.
Recycled & New Bicycles will be open for regular hours this week and from here on out. Things will be getting busy, so come on in. I have had some phone calls asking about repair prices. As many of you know, I do not do "set price" tune ups. I fix what needs to be fixed on your bike. I do not charge for work that I do not do, and I do not charge for work that does not need to be done. A tune up may cost you $20 or it may cost you $60. It may cost $100 or it may be free. If you want an estimate I will be glad to give you one. I think I do the best work in town for the best price. If you want to insult or haggle, please, take your bicycle some where else. Repair rant over.
Friday, March 7, 2008
It's My Party
Today is my birthday. 43. To celebrate, I want to pedal up to Maple Grove on Sunday. If anyone wants to pedal along with me, just let me know. Everyone reading this (both of you) is invited for all or part of the ride, I would love some company. I will roll out before lunch and after breakfast.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Holy Cow, Press Coverage
Logan's Alley Cat Races must be getting really popular. We made the paper. This is just the type of press that we need, "Drunk Cyclists Running Red Lights." Hey, who is that long-haired guy with the red helmet and Turbo-Cat?
More Snow, Less Bike
Recycled & New Bicycles will be open this afternoon, even though it is snowing again. The soft, large, wet flakes are swirling and blowing as I write. That's alright. I have finally found a snow sport without the steep learning curve and price tag, Snow Shoeing. We went on Sunday and had a great time.
We had other off-the-bike weekend adventures too. On Saturday we went to the USU Powwow. If you have never been to a Native American powwow, you are missing something special. I like to get close to the singers and feel the drum. It is a powerful thing.
Yes, this post has nothing to do with bicycles. Here is a picture of a Thai style chicken dish I made a while back. Think lime, soy, fish sauce, Asian five-spice, coconut milk, brown sugar, Thai red chilies, and curry. I marinated chicken in this sauce for 24 hours, stir fried it, and served it over rice, over raw spinach, cucumbers, red peppers, and sweet red onions. Yes, it was most delicious.
We had other off-the-bike weekend adventures too. On Saturday we went to the USU Powwow. If you have never been to a Native American powwow, you are missing something special. I like to get close to the singers and feel the drum. It is a powerful thing.
Yes, this post has nothing to do with bicycles. Here is a picture of a Thai style chicken dish I made a while back. Think lime, soy, fish sauce, Asian five-spice, coconut milk, brown sugar, Thai red chilies, and curry. I marinated chicken in this sauce for 24 hours, stir fried it, and served it over rice, over raw spinach, cucumbers, red peppers, and sweet red onions. Yes, it was most delicious.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
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