Calgary Flames - Red Hot

Well, I am a die-hard Flames fan and was checking for the highlights of tonights game and found this. If you're a flames fan for a long time, you'll recognize some of the faces. This is a real crack up.

Jerome

Wheel Chair Wheelie

Here is some fotage of the nonsense that ensues after working too many long days away from home.

More Snow

Well, we've received a fresh dump of snow here in Strathmore. Kind of nice to cover up the brown again, but much of this white stuff is hiding the frozen car ruts and ice patches that don't seem to die.

I wiped out on my way back to work from lunch. Not bad, just embarrassing. I don't think that anyone saw though. That's the important part. These studded tires to make a difference, but I guess they don't compensate for stupid. I was moving far to fast for the corner I was trying to take. It's the only corner that I've ever crashed my bike in the past 2 years. After the crash, I thought it would be a good time for a picture, as I was off my bike already.

Ride on.

Outhouse

Here is a cool present that I received for Christmas.

It is a little metal sculpture of an outhouse. It was made by my wife uncle, and is after an outhouse of my wife's great aunt. The artist makes all sorts of sculptures from old car hoods. Kind of a cool way to recycle.

This shot shows you that this outhouse is actually a 2 person model. Gross! Thank goodness for modern plumbing technology, especially in the winter!

I can Only Imagine Father Son

This is an incredible video of a Father and his son, who was born with physical disabilities. The father still wanted his son to enjoy running, playing sports riding a bike and all of the great things that are for most of us, part of growing up. He decided that he would need to be the arms, legs and movement for his boy. Together they have completed several full iron man races and many full marathons. This is incredible and inspiring.
CAN
Enjoy

On the Road

Well,

I am in Dallas right now, wrapping up a job and going over the commissioning and testing of 4 carousels we installed at Love Field Airport.

For some reason the hotel internet connection won't let me upload photos, so I've got a bunch of drafts that do need the pics in them, and as a result, they ain't posted yet.

I'll get them posted once I am able to load up photo again. The good news is that it's been warm back home, and I'm hoping that the slop and slush is gone when I get back so I can crack out the fixie again.

Cheers,

Jerome

Weelies

Well, while we were walking out to the car from where we were working in the Dallas Airport, I saw this lonely wheel chair beckoning for someone who could ride it. I couldn't resist and my buddy James snapped a shot. I've never needed to be in a wheel chair, but I can wheelie them for as long as I want, even down easy stairs. I've fallen a time or two, but after a little practice, you too can wheelie like a pro! Go out there, find yourself a lonely wheel chair and give it a whirl!

Cheers,

Bicycle T.L.C.

Well, all of this great warm weather (note the Chinook arch in this photo) that has come lately is creating a lot of muck on the roads.

After missing and struggling for shifts on the way home today, I decide it was time to give my winter (beater) a quick cleaning.

This muck loves bikes. Particularly the drive train. Bottom Bracket





Rear Derailer

Wheel

Rear Hub
Scraping crap out fo the cogs with a screw driver

Well, I soaked them all in degreaser, cleaned everything up and ran through some shifts on the stand and noted a significant improvement.

Tomorrow (this) morning, we'll do a road test on the way to work.

Cheers,

Jerome

Fixie Update

A few new things for the fixie (not that I've had a chance to ride it for the past 3 weeks).

First, a Surly Chain Tensioner. This bike is a conversion (meaning it didn't have fork ends for the rear wheel, just horizontal drop-outs) and the first time I asked a bike mechanic about using one of these Surly's, he said that it wouldn't work on horizontal drop outs, they had to be used on rear fork ends. Well, I went and bought one anyway and what do you know, it worked (so far). I guess the real test will be when I actually take the bike out for a spin with this on it. The reason that I wanted one, is because I don't have brakes on this bike and rely heavily on skidding to stop. Skidding by the way is by far the funnest way to slow down a bike!! The problem is that after a hard day of riding (and skidding) the rear wheel has moved forward and my chain tension is saggy. Gross. This should help that out so I can skid happy and skid often.

Second, is an aggressive rear wheel. I actually bought this rear wheel in conjunction with a Schwable snow stud front, but ended up returning the front for a 26" Schwable tire and bought another one for my commuter bike. I decided against using the fixie for commuting in the snow, as it's still too new (to me) for mucking up. I've ridden to work a few times with the fat rear tire and haven't found it too bad. It was also only $6, so I can skid this to the threads and not feel bad. Man is skidding ever fun!!

Sunrise

Well, still great weather for riding a bike to work around here. I did't ride yesterday, as I had a MS Project course in Calgary (50Km one way), but this morning even after getting up a little late, I rode my bike.



Mornings like this are great, and even better when experienced on a bike. It seems that you miss so much of what is around you when you're encapulated in your car. The sunrise was one of the many benifits of riding to work. I appologize for the blurry pictures (didn't have a tripod with me)



I will say though, that right now, with the weather getting nicer, the ruts that are created in the sand-like snow/slush, it gets a little hairy most days. I chopped the bars on my trek much narrower and they are now more comfortable, but I do wish I hadn't done it when I'm fighting to stay upright. Oh well.

Slush!

Well, I did ride my bike in today. I couldn't yesterday as I flew to Regina (ho yippies) in the morning and flew back in the evening. I had to measure up a job there, and now I can say I've been to Regina. For those that haven't been there, I wouldn't be jelous of those who have. You're not missing too much.

Anyway, today I did ride my bike and this morning was fine. But, on the way home for lunch, it was slushy!! 3C above makes snow melt, mixes with rocks and salt and create a lovely grime that doesn't stay on the ground. Especially when cars are passing you. Tasty stuff it is. I wasn't going to ride back to work after lunch, but if I'm preaching ride your bike, I had better be riding mine!

Even in the muck, as soon as I'm riding, I'm always glad I am. Big deal about a little dirt. That's what we have showers and washing machines for. I'm lucky enough to work in my own office, and being as all my projects are at airports, I don't meet with customers and contractors on a daily basis. I can be muddy and mucky and the other guys in a suite on the other end of the phone or email probably thinks I'm in a suite as well. I love my job!

Cheers,

Fixed Gear Gallery

I forgot to post a link to my bike on the Fixed Gear Gallery. My bike is # 4080. If you haven't checked the site out already, you should. It's amazing!

Peace

DO NOT STOP RIDING YOUR BIKE!!

I think I've found my inspiration for riding, regardless of the weather.

This girl stopped riding her bike! OH NO!

Waste of Time

Well, I haven't posted anything new because lately I've been a wuss! It hasn't gotten above -12C and mostly stayed closer to -20C all weak, so the bike is collecting dust. It's terrible I know. I'm hopping to pick up some fixie parts this weekend to convert my Trek, but we'll see.

For the in-term, check out this great waste of time. LINERIDER!!