High Life

Milk Sucks?

Well, this is one way to get attention. It's part of a new campaign in Australia to stop animal cruelty. Then there's the whole vegetarian and vegan stuff that goes along with that. Do what you want, think what you think, I just thought I'd share the picture. Cheers (for beer, not milk!)

One speed is all you need

While pillaging through my bike junk, scrounging parts for building up my Xtracycle, I thought I'd also build up something else. A single speed.

Not that I was looking for another bike project, but my faithful Trek (at the time a single speed) was being geared again, in preparation for the big loads I'd be hauling.

I've been hanging onto an old mtb frame for something just like this.

It's an old Shimano??? Tange steel frame. I haven't measured, but I'd say it's a large and fits me quite well. Pink too. I thought a pink and black bike would suit the SS attitude.

All the parts for the build were grabbed from the recycling yard. This build cost me $0.00. I've built some cheap bikes in the past, but I wanted to do something that was completely free other than the time to build it.

Right now I'm running a 38 up front with a Dicta 16 tooth freewheel in the back. Riding it to work was great, but I went for a little romp in the snow (kind of the purpose for this build; a snow bike I could beat up and leave lying around unlocked) and 16 is not enough in the back. Or 38 is too many in the front. I've got an 18 and 20 tooth (those are brand new and cost me $5.36 on Ebay including shipping) and I'm gonna give them a try. Still makes this bike something I wouldn't be heartbroken if it was stolen.

Here she is. You may notice I don't have a rear brake cable. That's cause I haven't stolen it from another doner bike in the shed yet. I'll get to that in the next couple of days.

Cheers.

On a bit of a Brooks kick right now

Found over at Amy's blog. Looks comfy doesn't it?

Xtra Cycle Baby!

What a great Christmas gift! From my wonderful wife of course. She scoured the country trying to find one of these bad boys for me, and ended up finally getting one shipped from BIKEFACE, in Durham, Ontario. Doug from Bikeface, thanks so much for all of your help. My wife says you were an incredible help and spent a lot of time finding one of these in time for Christmas for me. Most appreciated.

Thanks so much honey!

I somehow had a feeling that I was getting one, but you never know for sure right?


Here is the picture of my Xtra cycle being dropped off by Doug at the UPS store with an extra cycle, of course.
Anyway, I hoped to get it built while the boys were napping on Christmas day, but no such luck. I ended up scrounging the parts together from my parts bin(s) and finished it up last night, in time for me to take it to work today.

I never even test road it after I got it together last night, but things are pretty nicely dialed in. A few tweaks here and there and she'll be set. I'm not to happy with the old rear derailleur I installed, so I'll be keeping my eye open for a new one, but for now it's doing the job. This is my old winter commuter that I converted. This bike was originally my moms and I've rebuilt it several times. The frame would be a little on the small side for me, but who cares, this bike has been good to me for the past 12 years and I've grown quite fond of it.

The mounting was very simple and straight forward. I had to shift my rear axle and add some spacers to center the wheel in the frame, but other than that, it was pretty much just a matter of swapping the parts to the new rear end. (yeah, now I got some serious junk in the trunk!)

Riding an Extra cycle you do notice that you are longer, but you've also got a much smoother ride. Even over the railroad tracks on the way back to work. I used to ride my uncle's tandem around town solo just for fun, and it reminds me of that.

I needed some of my tools from work at home tonight, and that is just the kind of thing that the extra cycle is made for. There was too much for me to carry on a regular bike, but not near enough to justify my truck. Enter, the extra cycle.

I'm thinking I need to name this bad boy. Doug name his Blue Truck, and calling mine Black Truck, would be copying. Smudge, did you name yours?

Christmas was very bike heavy for me. Other than 2 Toblerone bars, every single thing I got was bike related. From headlights, rear flashers, fenders, a jersey, fenders, and two things I've been longing for: A Brooks B-17 Special with it's oh so sweetly hand-hammered rivets, and a Nitto Mustache bar. Both of which are destined for the fixie.

Great Christmas indeed and it has really charged me up again on building up and tinkering on bikes.....Stay tuned.

Peace.

Merry Christmas!

God bless you and yours this Christmas season. Peace to all! Cheers.

Another One

Jesse Ratzkin has this nice Bike Friday Folding Fixie. Woot.

Fixie Folder

Something like this would be the ultimate travel bike for me. I'm a lover of the fixie, and something like Huw Gwilliams' Brompton could make it happen while traveling. Neat isn't it Vik?

Found on FGG.

Fredo has Done it again

More on the arts here. Fredo Viola has finally put his song up on youtube and, he's done a Christmas Song. Man, this guy is great! I think this is was pure God given talent looks like. Enjoy.



And, the Sad Song.



Keep in mind these videos are done comepetely with his Nikon Cool pix camera. Almost something worth a spot on the 12hours blog.

Peace All.

The Start of Something Great

Thus far this is the case.

Today was the first day of my new job. It's been a decade since I've had a new job. My wife kept asking me if I was nervous and I kept thinking why would I be? I wasn't.

The shop is 1 block from my house. Yep, my little town of 375 fine folks had room to employ me. Weird. I make the 3rd person that works there, so it's a really small little place, which is great. I walked home for lunch, and it took a whole minute (I didn't really time it, but that's probably what it took). Before we moved here, I was going home for lunch everyday, and I thought those days would never happen again. They are and I'm loving it. It's a very low key place, where all of the local farmers hang out. Literally. The boss puts on coffee, and there's always someone sipping, telling stories, or talking combines.

Want more close knit? The other employee is the mayor of the Village. What's more, he and I are both Lions members. Holy smokes.

Several years ago I decided I wanted to simplify my life, and I think I'm well on the way. I won't be driving more than 3 days a week (1 to Church, maybe two other times for groceries or dinner with friends). I've never had such short work days as I've got now. Not that I've ever disliked work, I actually really enjoy it, but man, 8 hour days?? What are they? Today I found out. Add to that zero time for getting to and from work, and I've got more time for family, house projects and bikes. Simple is good. I'm enjoying the simple. Enjoy yours.

Budget SUCKS!!!!

First it's Delta, now it's Budget. They make my list of companies of whose services you should try to avoid having to use. They have competitors who do a much better job than they do.

Maybe it's just the friendly smiling service you might have come to expect when arriving in LA (puke) or maybe every single person that works at the Budget airport location woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Whatever it is, they've pissed me off to no end.

Long story short, they almost left me high and dry and stranded at LAX with my wife and to young (crying boys) all while I had not only reserved, but also paid for the car that they were saying I was unable to pick up. I finally got the manager, gave him an ultimatum (both of which options were in my favor) and asked which way he wanted to go. He went the way I wanted him to, and the way I knew he would.

Anyway, I hate Budget rental cars and I'm using my little ole bit of the interweb to let as many people as I can know. I've had great experience with Enterprise, and now that I've tried something different, I'll never make that mistake again.