i *heart* commute by bike.

Not only do I love riding my bike, as many of you know there are plenty of websites out there dedicated to us commuters. One of my favorites is Commute by Bike which is part of the Crooked Cog Network. As many sites do now, you can have them email you updates and articles from the site and today's not only alarmed me but reaffirmed the little voice in the back of my head when riding at night. They attached a graph [because I know how we all love pie charts and bar graphs], that although older data I believe holds very true. It shows when bikes are most likely to be hit.



So be safe, wear a helmet, get some lights, and ride like you're not going to be seen.

t6.

Twin Six. Those of you who don't already know, but Twin Six is amazing to say the least. And well, today I got a few things at the shop. The speedy hat and bike nerd bottle, there is so much of their gear that I'd love to have but the funds don't really allow for it. Like this, this, this, this... yeah I could go on. It's sweet stuff and I highly recommend it.

On more of an update of the no drive month, the last few weeks have been difficult because of my schedule and to be honest laziness. Although, I did end up trading for the Schwinn Fixie. It's sweet, and I outfitted it with fenders. Brian and I have been trading a few text messages today and we're coming up with the new challenge for December. More to follow soon... in addition I've got word that I have a new digital camera coming my way. WERD! Holla for clearer pictures!

wig.

Not good. Wish I wouldn't have stumbled onto this. Now it's got me thinking. Check out the Wig Website. Enjoy.

question.

Would you, if given the chance, trade an Xbox, 10 games, DVD remote, 3 controlers for this fixie?


You must note, the front wheel is not actually a Race X Lite, but just a X Lite rim with a Select hub and non-bladed spokes. The frame is a old Schwinn Le Tour III and in great shape. Based on your feedback will I decide.

Sorry for the lack of posts. It's been a difficult week. More to follow...

the many faces of 'the bottke'

I was attempting to enjoy my lunch break today at work when I was interrupted by a few picture messages on my phone by none other than 'the Bottke'. Yes, some of you may know him has Brian or B, but not today. Today, he is 'the Bottke' and today I will show you the many faces of this monster. So hide the kids, put down your drink. Take a breath.

'The Badass Bottke'


'The Billy Bob Bottke'


'The 'I drive a 15 passenger van with blacked out windows and hang around elementary schools' Bottke'


All in good fun, I warned him so he knew what was going to happen. I believe all of this facial works of art, no masterpieces, was in response to the 'No Shave November'ists out there. In his words 'just say no to no shave November'.


On a more bicycle related note. Today, I got a new handlebar in for my 1x7. It's the handlebar off of the Trek Soho. The Bontrager Satellite Plus Handlebar. It's 650mm wide, has 30mm of rise and as you can see has a fair amount of sweep. I'll take a few more pictures once I've got it set up on my rig.

day off.

Wednesdays are typically my day off. And I have a confession, I took the day off too from riding. Although my driving was to a minimum, I still drove. I might as well tell you all now that on Friday I'll be driving my car too. I've got a little Thanksgiving gathering right after work that I'll already be late for since I work until 8. I know I know.

I know that Brian is still alive, although most of the posts have been mine he has assured me that he is keeping up his end of the deal. He's a college student and it's been a bit busy, especially since he's got a significant other. She does deserve his time more than posting on this but hopefully soon he'll be chiming in more frequently during this last half of the month.

Tomorrow should be interesting for me, snow is an almost certainty. We'll see how it goes.

One of those days

Today, I didn't want to get up out of bed. It was a struggle to say the least. With my dragging of feet, I was running behind schedule and didn't want to ride in. I mean, I really did not want to ride. I don't know if you're anything like me that the whole process leading up to riding just really takes a lot of out me. It's what has too often kept me from riding, which is really odd because as soon as I am on the bike it just puts me in a mood that I can't explain. Bliss? Maybe. All I know that's it's good.

Fortunately, today I did not take the easy way out. I rode. Going down to my basement I didn't know what bike I wanted to ride, the fixie just wasn't drawing me like I normally did. And so I grabbed the Monkey. No, not that monkey. I pumped up the tires and before you know it I was on the road. Almost immediately, I realized some thing was not right. My seat height was all sorts of jacked up, which, given that I haven't rode it in a while I can't be for sure to if I was that far off or if someone else rode it but if I had to make of a list of possible people who rode my bike it would be him, him, him and him. The last two are real possibilities, serious. After fixing the seat height, I made pretty good time given that the Monkey is a single speed and is also has a bit more rubber. Once arriving at the shop, I really got the seat height dialed in which of course made the ride home great.

I do have some thing special to unveil here soon, I've been trying to get all the proper information to be able to do it justice but let's just say I am excited about adding this additional incentive to this months challenge.

I've also decided to possibly part ways with the Karate Monkey and possibly get my hands on this. I've posted it over on the Jackal's sales blog. I've decided to offer it in different options. Complete Bike $1500.00 OBO, Frame and fork $500.00, or Frame $400.00. Questions? Want more pictures or details? Email me at adamlorenz@gmail.com