The Bro

My new bike that seems to be picking up the name "the bro" is fabulous.
John Russell has out done everything that I could imagine. The workmanship is amazing the style is spot on. It rides great.

Top Ten things that I love about this bike

1. I know the guy who built it, with love and passion for bicycles, like no other.
2. Swoopy line on top tube. Style but not a wannabe Swinn (yes i know how to spell Schwinn but that company got updated to the "marts")
3. Front rack that makes you want to order pizzas for pick-up
4. Nifty chain-guard.
5. Fork crown. Unique simple and really cool. Unfortunately it is not seen for the rack and fenders, it is a great little surprise when you look closely.
6. Lugs
7. Sabrosa built stem.
8. Drum brakes and internal gearing. very clean
9. Matching fenders
10. Periwinkle

"there is no place for optimism in engineering"

Friday evening, just after we closed the store I heard a knock on the window. When I looked up I saw Keith Bontrager standing out side. I had heard rumor that he would be coming through town but I didn't think that he would stop by the store. A great surprise.
He is working on tires. He asked me what tires we sell and what tires we use. When he heard that we sold mainly his tires and we rode his tires he quickly discounted us as useless as what he was looking for. He wanted us to challenge what he has already made so that he can make a better tread. We talked about regional riding and how every region needs a different tread design and how treads are trendy. We discussed bicycle trends, mutual friends, and the future of cycling.
For hour and half of one of the best minds in bicycles was standing in my store. I was just amazed
Strong - Light - Cheap (pick two)

Wait ,Wait, that's different.

Things are starting to come a little bit back to normal. Normal that my personal life is starting to signs of life. I closed the store on Labor Day and took the day off. I rode my bike. worked around the house. ( by the way...want to by a house? Car worshippers not invited.) I went to a movie with one son played card games, rode mountain bikes with my wife and had a some dinner with freinds and family. Since then, I got back into the pool once, I rode some of my favorite trails with my wife, went to the famous fish luau and had dinner with other friends. 255/1000

Tight Pant Militia

Down at our new Salt Lake City Bicycle Co. we have seen a lot of the kids that wear tight pants rolled up to capri length and riding various old bikes. There have been some of them that are just plain chumps and others that are downright inspiring for their enthusiasm for life. I always am rejuvinated to see people having a good time doing something good.
Last week I was invited to join them in an alley cat race.
It has been nearly a year since I have raced anything. But i was excited to do this. It was just a little awkward to do this because: one-my pants weren't tight, and two- my age was about double that of the other participants.
I did finish, winded and cross -eyed. Usually I have strong feelings about obeying traffic laws. That got put aside for about 45 minutes.
Long live the young, punk rock and alley cat racing.

How I spent my Summer Vacation

Top Ten things I did with the time that was my summer vacation
1 Rode bikes with my wife on our anniversary. It has been a while.
2 Hiked with my family and friends in Capitol Reef.
3 Spent some long overdue time with my oldest son that is leaving for college in 4 days.

4 Swam two times.
5 Opened a really cool bike store.
6 Saw a parade.
7 Enjoyed and benefited from friends. Thanks to everyone that has supported and helped this year. I hope to never forget the warmth and appreciation I have felt.
8 Spent more money that I have ever spent in one summer.
9 Rode in a boat and had a good time being dragged.
10 Made some memories that will last a lifetime.

I missed alot this year. I hope to do some more riding in the near future. I hope to do the big swims with SO next summer, Hope to do a tri again. I hope never to start a business. The store is open and seems to be doing well. This summer is the begining of the biggest adventure yet.
220/1000

Effective weight loss program

Diet and exercise.




Or open your own business. There has been very little organized exercise in my life. I am quite ready to get back into the pool. I long to do the big open water swim with SteveO next month but I am intimidated because I have been out of water for 2 months. I have only ridden my bike for errands that I can. I realize that the office store or the bank are easy but Home Depot usually requires more hauling capacity than my messenger bag.
The fringe benefit of opening the store is that I have worked so many endless hours and get so wrapped up in the work that I have eaten considerably less, I have lost about 12 pounds.
The interesting thing that I have learned is; in a world that energy is bought in small blue and silver cans. One can maintain sound even levels of energy with simple meals and water. I have worked several weeks with consecutive nights of 4-5 hours sleep and up to 18 hours in the store with out the aid of stimulants.
I mention this only as a one time science major where case studies are good springboard for theories to be tested. I would be that case study. I don't think that people need the stimulants as much as many think that they do. It is working for me.
by the way. Coffee smells really good.
188/1000

The Season of Work

So this year will be remembered because of the absolute lack of great trips. I realized today that I have not done anything that is not work for several months now. I sneak in little rides and such but I haven't had the trip where you reconnect with all that is good with the world. I have been trying to live vicariously through some of my friends and looking for some substitutions. This morning I took off on the scooter and went an knocked one of the classic road rides in the area. It was the one man scooter rally with the only participant being me.

I did ride last weekend to try to crash a party,only to arrive late: completely missing the festivities. I was reminded that all rides are not blissful. I struggled for 45 of 50 miles. I even stopped and sat under a tree to escape the heat. I arrived home without the satisfaction that I wanted. I was happy to take the chamois off and hop into a cool shower. That may have been the highlight of the ride.

The real positive thing in my world right now is on the new venture. I can't get over how fortunate that I have been there. I have been putting huge hours into the store and I have received some amazing help. I hope that I will be able to express to everyone that has been so helpful how much I appreciate their help. Things are nearly complete and we should be open soon.

I forgot the miles before, so now I am at 178/1000. I hope that trend changes soon.