arrrrrrr...

A special thanks to the Surly guys for point out this site to me, it rates blogs as to what they are rated. A bit surprising, it said I received this rating because of the word 'death' being found once and 'sex' being found 13 times... Now, I think it was my last post that moved me past the PG rating.

Damn Brits! I really think I need to earn such a rating on my own.

this weeks riddler

At the shop, there are times when customers do a number of things that I will have no originality in bringing light too. From the JRA's to the it's making a 'noise' to the 'I want a bike that pedals easy' customers, in the off season the ratio seems to increase with those customers since traffic is often down this time of year.

Regardless, this past week a customer brought in a wheel, tube and tire for us to change them. Nothing unusual. UNTIL, the customer says that this is 'really European'. Here is what he gave us to fix.


Here is then a picture of what this value taken apart.


So what is the name of this value? Click here but I would love to hear your thoughts..

25.4 vs. 31.8

That's right folks. I have a confession to make, I've worked at a bike shop for basically the last 7 years of my life and I do not have a firm opinion on which handlebar size I prefer other than to say that 25.4 has always been easier to hook up stuff onto [i.e. computer, etc.]...

So I'm asking for you thoughts. Reasons for or against. And most importantly WHY.

a bit of a new look.

A nice little montage of what I call facial 'artwork'.

This was for Mars Hill Students 70's themed Rollerskating party. Yeah, I looked GOOD.

spin.

Tonight, I did some thing that I've never done before. It was trainer ride at the shop and a few of us shop rats stayed around and brought the pain... And wow, it was a new experience to say the least; although throughly enjoyable. I'm looking forward to next weeks rides, yes rides as I continue to prep for getting it handed to me by GF. Interesting to note if you look closely not only can you see my well maintained male body but that I'm sporting my Smith's jersey so as always my hat goes over to Chad and Clay over at Happy Mutant Multisport.

[Sorry no power graphs or outputs like Mr. 24 but really what does that do for you? =)]

In a side note my roommate Joe, made this video a few days ago as part of Pepto Bismol contest... yeah, living with a comedian is pretty fun.

farewell old friend.

It was not that long ago that we were first introduced. It was love at first sight although only from a distance. First intrigued by the your skidmark counterpart, your black goodness found it's way straight to my heart. You came to me from the north, from a land that has produced such good things as Kevin McHale and Jesse Ventura; with a name that can only bring a smile to this broken heart of mine. I outfitted you with all my favorites: BB7's, Ergon grips, Cateye Wireless, Nanoraptors, Handbuilt wheels from G. Ted himself and all those incredible Surly products.

As time often does, this love always remained but I was not able to give you the love that you so deserved. You sat patiently, waiting, waiting for the days of short commutes and the occasional days playing in the mud. Yet, not often enough was I able to meet your needs. Love does not have a price but some times it helps us to part ways. Some might say it's destiny that our ways now must part, but as the near-ancient proverb tells us...

'From the box we come, to the box we shall return.'



You will never be forgotten or truly replaced.

possible 2008 challenge

So... most people make New Years Resolutions on New Years, some don't. Typically, I don't, I have but like everyone else in the world, I have never successfully accomplished those goals for the coming here.

If you haven't noticed that the normal 'monthly rules' is gone, instead there is a '2008 rules' in it's place. Although I'm sure that there will be monthly challenges along the way, but some thing in me wants a bigger challenge, some thing that underlines the whole concept of this blog. And yes, you might agree and know that at the base of all of this blog was a few things, a love for cycling and more importantly to put action to conviction.

But a few days ago, I emailed Brian proposing a few possible ideas for this 'grander' challenge:

_ more miles on the bike than in car.
_ fixie/ss race... 'dam the dome' [more needs to be said about this, just a little dream of ours during a inaugural ride for my first fixie]
_commute 3 out of 4 days, minimum.

Thoughts? Ideas? Additions?

I hope to have the challenges finalized by next Saturday. I'm also committing to much more frequent posting as I was before. No more teasing.

There are two things I'll end with... after much debate, I've decided to part ways with my beloved 2007 Lemond Poprad 57cm. Everything is stock on it besides the tires that I switched out to Bontrager Satellite Plus 700×32 tires, the stem which was upgrade to a Bontrager Race and removed the Crosstop levers. I’m selling it for $1000 + shipping [usually around $70]. Interested? I know you are... email me with questions/offers/more pictures at adamlorenz@gmail.com. Coming in late February, Gary Fisher, yes, that Gary Fisher is coming to Grand Rapids and I've been given the opportunity to go for a ride with him. Needless to say, I have around a month to get myself into some sort of riding shape as to not have my ass handed to me by a 57 year old. Good luck, right?

24 solo

As I write this, I am finishing watching the extra features on the DVD '24 Solo'. Now, I know I'm not the first to say this but I am throughly impressed. Not only with just how well done of a documentary but also just the story itself. Being a not only former co-workers but friends of Mr. 24 and Buchanandale, I got to hear their stories and read all about their experiences as endurance racers this film added so much to my appreciation for the sport and all they put themselves through to complete a race and train. I never see myself ever doing a true 24 hour race, though Trans Iowa is a goal for next year, this film will and has, I have no doubt, helped the sport.

So check it out... SOON!

from the jackal.

just a good pick me up from the jackal via bidwell...



if only every day was like that day.