tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349244332024-03-06T21:02:26.507-07:00BiCi Brent
In bici e' meglio-
en bici es mejor-
better by bicycleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-25710142306448633572019-06-03T19:30:00.000-06:002019-06-03T19:30:05.198-06:00What have I Done?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWBe1UWsGna2kXH-Tbl1NRI9llpRwPz2qVyIgMb_VBvIqkpfWgdioYytErbP0WbpYPObm-gZ_EqcuYTSYhlTZepEM1vly2XrVVyfzfRXYxMGHjkvplovkEFG__H-z9yVB9rBp/s1600/IMG-4770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWBe1UWsGna2kXH-Tbl1NRI9llpRwPz2qVyIgMb_VBvIqkpfWgdioYytErbP0WbpYPObm-gZ_EqcuYTSYhlTZepEM1vly2XrVVyfzfRXYxMGHjkvplovkEFG__H-z9yVB9rBp/s400/IMG-4770.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bike Inn, Clatskanie, OR</td></tr>
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I woke up early on the second day of the trip. I left Clatskanie early enough that there was fog in the town. I went on a side road that paralleled Highway 30 that was stunningly beautiful. This was the Oregon that makes it famous for green lush hills and clear rivers in the cascade range. I followed the river up past a beautiful waterfall and eventually out to the Highway. I was thrilled because regardless of the situation this was a great place to ride. I had made arrangements to meet my brother in North Portland for lunch. I was starting to calculate the milage and realized that I needed to stay focused on the task at hand. Along the highway there were several hills and small towns. Everything was what I had hoped for with this trip. I was not far from Portland when this most memorable moment happened. I could feel my legs were fatigued, I had no idea where I was planning to sleep that night and this wave of dread and doubt passed over me. It was such a horrible moment. I just then thought; I am tired and hungry and I have about 3500 miles before I am to Boston. I was ready to be done 20 miles outside of Portland. That moment it was when I learned that I had to get my wits about me. That is when the mantra came into my mind that stuck with me for the rest of the trip-- " you can stop, call for help and quit or you can just keep pedaling." I did have a bail out. I would see my brother in an hour eat a huge lunch and get him to drive me back to his home. I would have been easy. After this minute of ugly I realized that I was still moving forward and that I could at least push one pedal at a time and move one mile at a time and eventually experience the whole journey. <br />
St John's Bridge north of Portland was super high and a bit of a thrill for me. The I-205 bridge into Washington was stupid loud because of the rush hour traffic moving both directions with a bike path right in the center. Arriving in Washington I got on quieter more pleasant roads and headed East I could not find a great campground right away. I kept pedaling until dusk and found a hidden little area about 50 yards from the highway and set up camp. I had ridden 95 miles.<br />
The honeymoon part of the trip was over and I was officially in. This second day showed me a lot of the variety that I would continue see on the entire trip. This list of events on the second day was one of education that was crucial for the remainder of the trip.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Early mornings are the best time of the day to ride.</li>
<li>The pace is different than other types of riding. </li>
<li>Finding a place to sleep is the most difficult task of the day.</li>
<li>Cities and traffic are more stressful than difficult.</li>
<li>Some places are amazingly beautiful.</li>
<li>Some places are creepy and ugly. </li>
<li>Don't go too long without food.</li>
<li>Don't overeat when you come across food.</li>
<li>Self reliance is scary.</li>
<li>Self reliance is liberating.</li>
<li>It's easy to over pack.</li>
<li>At any point you have two options: </li>
<ul>
<li>stop, sit down and cry until someone saves you.</li>
<li>keep turning the pedals.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-44041610811770617052019-06-03T18:36:00.001-06:002019-06-03T18:36:57.900-06:00Water on the Left to Water on the Right<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lewis and Clark finished where I started.</td></tr>
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I started my trip in Seaside, Oregon. It was a great day, sunny, blue skies and I was eager to get rolling. I left the beach side monument of Lewis and Clark and started making my way east. With all of the preparation that I had done leading up to this event I hadn't actually looked at the map to see which road was to take. I saw a sign for the Oregon Coast Bike Route and immediately thought; I'm in Oregon, near the coast, on a bike and I was headed toward Astoria.<br />
I had selected for the first half of my cross country trip maps that were in honor of Lewis and Clark and they had plenty of waypoints to honor their journey with what ever roads connected them together. I was so excited to finally be riding with adrenalin in my blood and within 10 minutes of leaving i realized that I was already off the route. Nothing significant i was likely within a couple of minutes. I had to decide, would I stick to the prescribed route faithfully or not. Turn around and retrace my error a few minutes just so I could see exactly a spot that L and C had been. Answer was no. This was my trip and my loyalty was to the goal and not to the map. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8gNponkLSvoenWC7dDHzZirZbqUdrNfCoSjY7t_U18zXbtE5vG38wempDhmlthEmgGTNWWjMh2rk8WCMTteHkrzHJ1ZJb7sQVnUpulcI91hDtwJ9XoFJEBuoglsi8y5X_b-l/s1600/IMG-4769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8gNponkLSvoenWC7dDHzZirZbqUdrNfCoSjY7t_U18zXbtE5vG38wempDhmlthEmgGTNWWjMh2rk8WCMTteHkrzHJ1ZJb7sQVnUpulcI91hDtwJ9XoFJEBuoglsi8y5X_b-l/s200/IMG-4769.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wrong route</td></tr>
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With that resolve I made my way into Astoria, found a bakery and had my first celebratory donut. I was so hopped up about the trip that climbed back on the bike and took off down the highway and found the mapped route along the south side of the Columbia River. I was getting used to my equipment and what it felt like to have all of the gear. I was so excited that I was finally moving on what was a dream just days before. I realized after several hours of riding that I was not ready for big miles and sort of limped into Clatskanie, OR. I had pedaled 58 miles. One good thing about the map set that I used was great for pointing out good places to camp or eat. The Bike Inn in Clatskanie was one of the best places that I stayed for the entire trip. This belonged to a couple that had taken an old garage/shed and modified it into a small bedroom with a kitchenette, shower and little patio to sit outside. Two mediocre microwave dinners some bananas was my meal. I slept well and woke at dawn eager for day two. This moment of the trip seemed surreal. I had ridden my bike plenty over the years. This was somewhat of honeymoon period for the trip. Me on the road with everything that I needed to travel self supported across the continent. I was super happy and a bit scared.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-6563688475113157242019-03-20T22:04:00.000-06:002019-03-20T22:04:56.973-06:00Wouldn't it be faster to drive?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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May 25th, 2017 I was in Seaside Oregon. My brother Brad and his wife Jane drove me there from Portland that morning. I was really scared and anxious about what I was about to start.<br />
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<br />
While in high school I worked at the Safeway grocery store in my town. This store was the along the most scenic route between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone. One summer day a couple of people came into the store. They stood out from the regulars of rural Idaho. They were riding bicycles on a cross county route that led them through my corner of the world. I was fascinated with them and what they were doing. Their bikes were laden with bags and flags and they hung bananas off the top. They wore cycling shorts and ratty t-shirts. they were sun-tanned and happy. I was already a bike nut and this was calling my name. I talked with them for a while and then with their prompting I invited them to set up camp in my family's backyard. We talked more that evening and my mom fixed them some food. The next morning when they took off I rode with them for the first 10 miles to Geneva Summit that would lead them down toward Wyoming. <br />
This experience was the first moment I had thought of doing an epic trip. At this point in my life my longest trip by bike was about 25 miles. This is when I decided that riding across the county was what I wanted to do. Over the years I met plenty of people bicycle touring and every time I met someone I would ask them questions and look at their gear and try to learn what I could about a trip for myself. So many of the details were difficult: How could I get that much time away from work/school/ responsibilities? Who could I find to go with me? Could I actually do it? <br />
April 2017 I realized that for the first time in my life I had opportunity to attempt this. Both of my parents had passed in the previous couple of years. My youngest daughter was about to graduate from high school. I had sold my business and decided to make a career change. I had never before been set up to check out for a couple of months with out upsetting some other part of my life. Once that occurred to me I couldn't get it out of my mind. I felt like if I didn't attempt this I would regret it until the next time - if there would be a next time.<br />
I started thinking about who would possibly ride with me. Timing and opportunity was mine. My wife and friends had work and responsibilities. Some had no desire. One friend suggested meeting me in route to accompany me for a few days, but this proved difficult because it was not easy to really pinpoint where I would be, on which day, and the logistics of getting a bike to and from their trip was a hassle. After looking into some options it seemed like it would be best to ride alone. Safety, loneliness, and motivation were concerns. Dealing with someone else's schedule, stamina, attitude were a concern. Weighing both sides of this it seemed like a solo trip was what was best.<br />
I need to get gear together, plan a route, figure out logistics for getting to a starting point. The planning of the trip was fun and part of the experience. The butterflies in my gut were congregating. Subconsciously I had been acquiring gear for this trip. I had done a few small trips and some other camping. I knew the resources to find routes and maps. I was as excited for this as my grade-school self was excited for a visit from St. Nick.<br />
Riding a bike across the continent is not something that people understand. <i>Why would you do that? Are you scared? Wouldn't it be faster to drive? Wouldn't it be faster to fly? Are you crazy? Are you going to carry a gun? What will you do if....? </i>Oddly, even though they couldn't reconcile my answers to the questions, most people seemed really supportive. Everyone seemed to be on one of two sides of this coin; either they were envious that they couldn't join me or happy that they didn't have the abnormality that would compel them to do this.<br />
My brother was in poor health when he left me in Seaside that day. He had become more sick and debilitated with diabetes and heart trouble for several years. I got the feeling from him that day that he was on both sides of that coin. Walking from where we parked his car to the starting spot at the Lewis and Clark Monument was difficult for him. His opportunity for an adventure was passed. He knew that a trip like this was something that would never be on his radar. I thought of him a lot. What would have been on his bucket list if he had the opportunity. Eleven months after this day he died. My brother Brad was one of my best supporters during the trip. He gave me so much praise during those next couple of months that it became awkward for me. In the best way possible, for him, he shared my experience. With these thoughts I rolled away from the Pacific Ocean with the destination of Boston.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-26202783008180157772018-03-04T21:13:00.001-07:002018-03-04T21:13:52.802-07:00Adieu to You SLCBI had owned my bicycle store for 8 years and it was both challenging and rewarding. I don't think that I will ever regret the experience of small business though it was one of the most stressful times of my life. On a sunny day in June of 2016 we were busy with customers. A guy walked into the store and looked around. One of my employees had said something in acknowledgement that he was there, but every employee was busy with other customers. The next time I looked up, it was just in time to see the guy grab a bike and head for the door. I excused my self from a customer that I knew and took of on foot after the thief. He was quite tall and he had grab a rather small bike. As he climbed on the bike to ride it he struggled because his knees were near hitting the handlebars every time he pedaled. This was good because I could almost keep up with my running efforts. About 100 yards later I was running down the middle of the road in downtown SLC watching a thief nearly get hit by a car. Because of self preservation I opted not to run through the intersection. I stood there in the middle of 500 E. at 300 S. intersection angry, frustrated and winded. I was liberated of a $800 bike with a $1000 insurance deductible and wondering why. I was 50 years old, I had been in the bicycle industry for nearly 30 years with success, compelled to be in a situation where thieves, vandals, crooked employees and whiney customers were making me feel perpetually vulnerable. This was not the situation that I had worked my whole life. Walking back to my store empty-handed and feeling queasy because of the running and the pizza that I had bought for the staff that day was ruffled in my belly. I quit right there on the sidewalk with a few yards to go back to my beautiful bicycle store. I was going to get out of my business as gracefully as possible.<br />
This was my new objective in life. I went home that evening and talked with my wife. I remember being still frustrated and a bit too whiney while talking with her. I told her that I planned to be on a bike riding across the county one year from that time. I was dreaming a bit about a cross country trip but I was resolved to not be in bicycle retail.<br />
I had no plan beyond networking and talking with people in the bicycle industry, just trying to find out possible ways to get out. A friend had talked with me about how Trek Bicycle had purchased stores that were struggling and possibly going out of business but Trek really needed their presence in their market. Sometimes the void that a retailer that was selling product is way worse than supporting the poorly run businesses. I started thinking of why wouldn't Trek consider buying a good store in a major market that wasn't upside down and drowning in debt. They would have a similar cash expenditure but they would get a healthy store that was doing a positive business. This was my chance.<br />
I contacted a sales manager for my area and had a discussion about this topic. At first he was angry that I knew about the other situations and then I could tell that he was seriously hushed on something that was going on within Trek. A later meeting with the same manager he told me that he would take my proposal to the "team" and see what they thought. Frustrated, I started probing into who made up the "team". I realized that I knew all but one of them and that I had some traction. I decided to bypass the gate-keeping manager and started talking with the members of the new retail team. Trek had decided to start acquiring retail locations in markets and situations where they thought that they didn't have good representation from their current dealer network. A few month later we were in full negotiations and eventually they made a fair offer and I accepted. The deal was done 6 months after I was chasing a lanky thief down the street.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day the SLC sign came down and Trek went up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Trek offered me a job to manage the store. I was hoping that the ownership of the business was the stress and not the business itself, so I stayed on as store manager. After a short amount of time I realized that I really didn't have my heart into the situation. Trek had great dreams and enthusiasm which was helpful but there was a lot of micro-managing and a disregard for my ideas. I wondered if they had only acquired near failing businesses prior to mine and they were sure that all stores that they acquired must have been poor. I don't know all of the facts but I am quite sure that the first year that Trek owned a certain store in SLC was the first year that the store didn't produce a positive profit. They did make a lot of capital investments in a way that I never had the funds to do while I was the owner. I do have faith that Trek will make the store profitable in time and I am quite sure that the gross sales of the store increased significantly. The difference is that Trek makes a buck selling bikes into the business and a buck selling the bikes to the customers. Having both sides of that equation allows a flexibility that an independent store can't enjoy.<br />
As spring approached I was becoming more disappointed in my situation. I had to decide; leave the career that I had now been in for 30 years and try to start over with something else. Try to stay with the industry and possibly Trek. I tried half heartedly to get a job within Trek, I always liked the company and I thought there may be a chance that changing seats would be my solution. The decision was scary. I didn't know if I could thrive outside my environment. Mid- March of 2017 shaking and nearly in tears I told my manager that I was quitting. This manager was someone that I had known for years. He had been with me through some of the more challenging moments of my career and I will always wonder what his image of me was. I thought he was a friend and confidant. Now I think that he thought of me as something much less. I told him that I would work as long as he need to find a replacement for me since at the time we were not successful in finding good people to hire for the coming season. It took a month. I tried my best to finish strong. It was a tough month. My last day in the bicycle industry was April 7 2017. My wife and I went for a quick trip to San Rafael Swell to ride the Goodwater trail. A Saturday off in April was not something that I had for years. Retail and seasonal business made it so I worked most weekends especially in spring. Later that night we went to dinner with friends who also owned a bicycle store. About 9:00 pm while we were finishing dinner with them they both got a couple of texts and a call from the security company for their bicycle store. Something had compromised their security, possibly a break-in. As they excused themselves and rushed back to their store, I almost laughed out loud. I was just one day away from their situation. I was out of store ownership and the bicycle industry.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-85384920413479602312018-01-17T22:15:00.000-07:002018-01-17T22:15:14.735-07:00<h2>
Reinvent the Brent.</h2>
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The last year of my life has been the most interesting for many reasons. All was good. It was such a pivotal part of my life I think that in the future I will talk about life before and life after 2017. Here is a list of some of the highlights:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>sold my bicycle store. </li>
<li>worked for Trek in my former store then quit.</li>
<li>rode my bicycle across the country</li>
<li>enjoyed summer</li>
<li>learned to bake bread</li>
<li>entered into the job market </li>
<li>became empty nester</li>
<li>traveled in Europe rode bikes with VaLene</li>
<li>found a great job selling industrial computers</li>
<li>bought a new house in Logan where my job is</li>
<li>moved</li>
<li>sold the house that we had live in for 24 years </li>
</ol>
This was fantastic. I am going to try to write about each of these in the next bit. #reinventthebrent was the hashtag of the event on Instagram. I feel renewed and eager to enjoy the next chapter of my life. The dust hasn't settled yet. In fact the move hasn't happened yet. I have been in Logan for a couple of months. Our former house is under contract and you never know what could thwart that. I sort of miss personal blogs. I don't think that they are in fashion today. A picture is worth a thousand words. I am not that good of a photographer so I am going to write.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-77747157317193967392013-04-01T16:43:00.000-06:002013-04-01T16:45:34.222-06:00Riding Solvang<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith Bontrager and me</td></tr>
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I had chance to go to a Trek event for dealers to California last fall. I rode for 4 consecutive days, it was wonderful. One of the days had a great ride up Figuroa pass that was about 4000 feet climbing over 9 miles. On the 15 miles to the base of the climb there was a group of about 30 riders that left together and it was calm enough for about 7 miles. The head of the group was Axel Merckx -- yes the son of Eddy and former Belgian National Champion. Well, I held on as long as I could but after having a moment of "I can't beleive that I am on the wheel of Merckx" I fell off the pace and tried to recover before the climb. The climb was gorgeous.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-15786408618987674092012-12-02T12:29:00.002-07:002012-12-02T12:29:42.916-07:00Attempting a RestartIt is starting to turn over in my brain that i need to get thoughts out and in a forum that is not just a journal and less invasive than social media. <br />
I like social media. I don't seem to like to post there because so much is shared and little is communicated. If i have some general announcements to the world i know that Facebook will deliver. In fact get everyone you know to follow my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SLCBicycleCo?ref=ts">business</a> there. <br />
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Here I can ramble and dream. I don't know if anyone reads these but it is about the only record i have of some of the better things i experience. Is it possible that in just 6 years that this will now be retro. I am so 2006. If you do read and you agree or disagree with my words let me know. I like conversation about anything deeper than cute kittens. <br />
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Historically i have written about bicycles, business, swimming, art, and anything that catches my attention. I have omitted family mostly from this . I feel like it is a privacy thing but i am not sure what i am afraid of, exactly. That may change. <br />
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Note that i consider this an attempt.<br />
Ready Go.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-17687683986953896412011-04-25T10:24:00.003-06:002011-04-25T10:36:22.505-06:00Rebuilt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiy0QNfIh662hjUvOygt0OMWm0wONsSQt-KOBS2qepnvKccwI95HstCIbSAVqBZTTCy-kmRMlfXtd3tADJCvDCYHgqP47p-pGEB5rcvBkKsbfPx3ldSorZTxCLvKzv2j4FxGhI/s1600/DSCN2813.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiy0QNfIh662hjUvOygt0OMWm0wONsSQt-KOBS2qepnvKccwI95HstCIbSAVqBZTTCy-kmRMlfXtd3tADJCvDCYHgqP47p-pGEB5rcvBkKsbfPx3ldSorZTxCLvKzv2j4FxGhI/s400/DSCN2813.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599558357995489826" /></a>8mm bore with 100mm of tissue from a donor and I will be tap dancing by christmas. Hard to imagine. I couldn't tap dance before but I had a really good surgeon. Today,I sure am sore.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-91680349216273478622011-02-01T08:49:00.001-07:002011-02-01T08:54:22.833-07:00New Bike.Finally i had chance to ride the new bike. Gary Fisher (trek) Sawyer. Here is quick list of impressions.<br />1-Steel. I don't know what tubing this has. I think that the quality of steel has been improving like other frame materials, but since it is out of the spotlight it is not really part of the conversation.<br />2- Steel ride. This bike has no 'spension. Between the steel and the unique bar it is a very smooth ride.<br />3- Gears are advantageous when the fitness is not.<br />4- Why do motorcycle riders insist on riding the trails that have several signs that say no motor vehicles?<br />5- Winter can make a trail that I won't touch in the summer seem like a good alternative. The trail was mostly dry within 24 hours of snow.<br />6- Swoopy-- really cool styling.<br /><br />This bike may be with me a while. Steel 29er. I regreted when I parted with my ferrous.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAlNvSgFos4Q4yqRLw7OmH9jk2RorTD15xD_z9_Av51kSidQNJE5gMzgfZYGAz1lUGuQepcAEQpQct6aJWYXLYEIB6EgR6WVai-li7N8S2MTGTf6v4nGqU4kmWpmxWW_GCt64/s1600/DSCN2510-1.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAlNvSgFos4Q4yqRLw7OmH9jk2RorTD15xD_z9_Av51kSidQNJE5gMzgfZYGAz1lUGuQepcAEQpQct6aJWYXLYEIB6EgR6WVai-li7N8S2MTGTf6v4nGqU4kmWpmxWW_GCt64/s400/DSCN2510-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="clear:both; text-align:LEFT"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-28280082405302660482010-11-07T17:50:00.006-07:002010-11-07T20:56:52.353-07:00The Acme of Cycling<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I have wondered, what about the bicycle industry has kept me in the business for so many years? The answers vary from happenstance to deliberate. It certainly has no correlation to riding a bike a lot. It is not the pursuit of great wealth. Inertia is one reason. I headed down the path and didn't have anything that diverted my course. The most rewarding reason is being a part of changing lives. I have seen people benefit from bicycles. I am a facilitator. I help them get the right bicycle.<div><br /><div>I have seen people lose weight, strengthen marriages, bond with children and become liberated by outdoor experiences. This last year I have seen one of the better examples of how a simple tool like the bicycle has changed people's lives for the better.</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHg5wL9q_1EVPJoxyM9B4D-xpoW0DTObvr-yNnM84Vg7xrl4HnL5EtcnvoDPXIckz7SvefqlzFiRA7cy20226KMIsEfpBO5IbyS8DR3UQF4MCsQvJauv8FhcYFgLmewW-QZDAC/s400/untitled4.bmp" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537015792317251170" /><div><br /></div><div>Bart (right) is a former pilot who now has Parkinson's disease. Because of the disease he is not able to fly, or drive a car. Because of balance issues he can't ride a standard bicycle either. Bart came into our store last year and bought an adult trike. There is nothing nifty about the trike. This is plain and simple a utilitarian vehicle... until Bart bought one. This year Bart has ridden this trike several thousand miles. He has done several benefit rides (diabetes, MS, Parkinson). He has ridden this trike more miles and for more good than the designers of the bike had ever imagined. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bart met Devereux (left) and learned that he had not been out of his apartment alone in years. Devereux is a former school teacher that has suffered a stroke. He lives independently but needed assistance to get out and go anywhere. Bart suggested that he too get a trike so that he can run errands and get out of the apartment for a while. Devereux has found a new freedom. He is still learning the nuances of the trike but he is helped and inspired by Bart. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some think that the highlight of cycling is to be the world's greatest cat 5 racer. Others think that it is one that can hop from one obstacle to another on their rear wheel. Some think that it is to ride across a great distance. Regardless, how a bike is ridden is not as important as how it benefits the rider. I am pleased to be a part of something that is benefitted for using a bicycle.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-74986740454261496472010-05-27T20:51:00.002-06:002010-05-27T20:54:36.801-06:00Wouldn't it be good if I could keep all of my blogs straight in my feeble mind. The last post was supposed to be on the the bicycle stores site. Well the gallery event was excellent. We had great artists, great food, great music and lots of people. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-1961543120209928792010-05-27T20:31:00.006-06:002010-05-27T20:42:48.102-06:00<div>Gallery Roll was a Great time.</div><div>Here is and segment from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_60E1dSVVI">Park City Television</a>.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkuRxj4y7bvjCrUKhkFG2hTI7_Ooe3H0AOfvY1OeV64-b8WeZM8r5P4klEkqqrUN4sk_sNqjmNXuOU-2imNN8g5vgEekt2Frb7d6E45pseme_iEmiAMIP6yl6004ip9NDuEaF/s1600/DSCN0465.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkuRxj4y7bvjCrUKhkFG2hTI7_Ooe3H0AOfvY1OeV64-b8WeZM8r5P4klEkqqrUN4sk_sNqjmNXuOU-2imNN8g5vgEekt2Frb7d6E45pseme_iEmiAMIP6yl6004ip9NDuEaF/s400/DSCN0465.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476145114652687730" /></a><br /><div>Very amazing group <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ohwildbirds">Oh! Wild Birds</a> played that evening.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMzsySymZpk14MmiwOIn9qKPsrEjU9TfwufM2euijr4ErGqcYobxhwXI-NSagE-2gxr8Gd5vAmcXZr3naTVi1u8MC6P40uOI-XL-NZNVrE0NHfDhHvXRGzKXX6LqcL9SYSgFT/s1600/DSCN0473.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMzsySymZpk14MmiwOIn9qKPsrEjU9TfwufM2euijr4ErGqcYobxhwXI-NSagE-2gxr8Gd5vAmcXZr3naTVi1u8MC6P40uOI-XL-NZNVrE0NHfDhHvXRGzKXX6LqcL9SYSgFT/s400/DSCN0473.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476143980346783842" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#551A8B;"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-47681448295839264922010-05-02T19:05:00.003-06:002010-05-02T19:30:34.733-06:00Unexpected Sunday Visitors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenRrrcfdKm33OG8jXI5EpAv2DF68WbEd41osqGr4ySc0ZUPBsDe1xE-3NDebUJqTAZJkReT6KRJrAoCRDpObBSJRpLnRZaznuLGI2awL41Rga4w7WUxBOw37vSB4d2osMwqTw/s1600/05-02-10_1821.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenRrrcfdKm33OG8jXI5EpAv2DF68WbEd41osqGr4ySc0ZUPBsDe1xE-3NDebUJqTAZJkReT6KRJrAoCRDpObBSJRpLnRZaznuLGI2awL41Rga4w7WUxBOw37vSB4d2osMwqTw/s400/05-02-10_1821.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466843861364274210" /></a><div>I woke up early today and hoped to get out on my mountain bike for a couple of minutes. I looked out the window only to see what looked more like February than May. So later this afternoon I decided to get out. The weather was much nicer and I know that Bonneville Shoreline trail near my house dries very quickly with any sun and any wind. So the ride was just ordinary. In fact I was a bit miserable. Maybe too much lunch and too much dessert. I had ridden about 9 miles and then less than a mile from my house I was riding near this rock slide and I heard some rock tumbling down. I stopped to see what was happening (I should have picked up the pace. My wife saw a freshly killed deer close to here a few years ago that was killed by a cougar; not the BYU nor the middle aged desperate type; all three common in this region) I was surprised to see two big horn sheep right above me about 50 feet. I thought that this was cool so I stayed to watch them for a minute. They saw me but didn't seem to mind me being there so they continued to descend this steep drop area. They are very agile and balanced. At the bottom of the slope they just kept walking toward me. I had this brief moment that I thought we were in a petting zoo and I had 25cent handful of Purina to give them. They came within 15 feet of me and I stood there amazed then remembered that my phone has a lame camera on it. So I dug the phone out of my pocket and got this shot. I have seen plenty of deer and birds up in this area but this is the most amazing wildlife I have seen this close to home. Thanks for the visit fellers.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-54027664697231649562010-04-22T13:58:00.004-06:002010-04-22T15:11:03.427-06:00Every Day is Tuesday at SLCB<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-1WL_S7LdYaK4RgZjEDTlkkz88fq9XI8P4lQzbOsrIt2lBFHcOTBYciDwGzVy1DE2MAeW1SR9GUvBUAWoTbzWC8QTxfSWNxhKRaXOtKWsyp-AYpQszQ7RTBPJNzPFt0k792I/s1600/alley+cat+017.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-1WL_S7LdYaK4RgZjEDTlkkz88fq9XI8P4lQzbOsrIt2lBFHcOTBYciDwGzVy1DE2MAeW1SR9GUvBUAWoTbzWC8QTxfSWNxhKRaXOtKWsyp-AYpQszQ7RTBPJNzPFt0k792I/s200/alley+cat+017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463070870866937714" /></a><br /><div>SLCB is in the heart of the city and it is like all cities, there are people that are homeless, transient etc. We refer to them as "Toothless Tuesdays" or just "Tuesdays" (based on a Tuesday shortly after we opened the store when everyone that came in for the first 3 hours didn't have teeth.)</div><div> We have tried to accomodate them where we can. Many of them have bikes that are either junk or recently stolen and hacked to be non-identified. We set up a stand and tools outside our store that they can work on their own bikes. (you don't have to be homeless to use) We have an air hose outside that they can fill tires for free (7-eleven charges) The frustrating thing is that they are amazing at manipulating people. Their technique is this. </div><div><br /></div><div>TT: can you fix my brakes?</div><div>SLCB Employee: sure...I could tighten this and move this but you really need........it will cost about $10</div><div>TT: I don't have no money until the 1st of the month, could you just do it?</div><div>Emp: I will just make it safe and better today, for free, but you need to replace......</div><div>TT: While you have it there, could you check my pedals, handle bars, and on and on.</div><div><br /></div><div>My boy Xander pointed it out first that they like to get you to do something that any compasionate, normal person would feel compelled to do. Then they will push and push until you just have to say no. Xander's solution was to say " sure that will be $5". They stop asking because they know that you will turn around and say "everything that this bike needs will be approximately $325 </div><div>Last week I had a guy come to the store about an hour after we closed. He saw me working at the computer but he was persistent on knocking on the window. Now I know that I have no life but the reason why I stay late after work is because i need to get things done. So after he gave me his <i>filthy puppy dog with no teeth look </i>which melted my icy resolve, I went to the door to see what he needed. He had busted his pedal and really bikes work best with pedals. I told him that the cheapest pedal that we have was $10 and I would install it for free. He immediately told me of the hardship of....(what i heard is how horrible it has been to suck on a bottle when you don't have teeth.) I then went back into the shop and found a beat up old pedal that would work marginally better than nothing (yes we save junk for them) Then I went back out and put it on the bike. I then said: "that should work for you for a while, have a good evening." I turned around and started back inside to finish up so I could go home. Tuesday says "hey could you fix my brake?" My first thought was; would this guy just keep asking until I put his life back together, built him a house, got him cosmetic reconstructive surgery, bought him a sports car and arranged for a trophy wife. My response was: "No, we open at 10 am and I want to get <b>my</b> work done now."</div><div>Now I to belong to a christian organization we are taught to do good, but somehow Christ himself would have to say "ok, thats all the miracles for today...run along." (visualize Ferris Bueller at the very end of the movie).</div><div>That will be five bucks.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-20892250232244668572010-04-22T13:35:00.004-06:002010-04-22T14:53:09.883-06:00Time Flies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DN2W-Fg_H7_28Z1a1LyPtlLWGrYfODTSMvNu8u_pWN4X_xisSTFqd3nN3hYMvc3e7ZNC9M4opXAsHGXx2ddLnJI4qVecFghbMgjc_ktLX2EvujLmQz19cArZoIOFfiQvrLNg/s1600/outside+bike+stand.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DN2W-Fg_H7_28Z1a1LyPtlLWGrYfODTSMvNu8u_pWN4X_xisSTFqd3nN3hYMvc3e7ZNC9M4opXAsHGXx2ddLnJI4qVecFghbMgjc_ktLX2EvujLmQz19cArZoIOFfiQvrLNg/s200/outside+bike+stand.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463052457185688450" /></a><br />Usually that is followed with "when you are having fun"<div><br /></div><div>Ok owning the bike shop is fun...but boy is it work. every day things seem a bit better and for various reasons. </div><div><ul><li>sales are good (better than expected)</li><li>staff is excellent (much better than expected)</li><li>bikes are good. (not too many things you can say that about)</li></ul><div>Needless to say i have thought about this blog and how much I enjoy writing something and trying to make sense of the chaos of my brain so I want to start up again. </div><div><br /></div><div> Fast SOB remix</div><div>about a month ago I went for a little ride. It was pretty cold out but really just a wonderful day to be riding. Since I think that all good rides go through <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Leland+utah&fb=1&gl=us&ftid=0x874da33de0cd882d:0x6f0fbcb42ea1577f&ei=LrTQS5WtIZTUsAOd-NXvDQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQ8gEwAA">Leland</a>, this ride went down River Road in southern Utah County. A dog that I blogged about<a href="http://utahbicycle.blogspot.com/2007/03/fast-sob.html"> years ago</a> came after me. This time the fast sob had another two dogs along, all 3 chasing me. The fast SOB was black lab type, the 2nd dog was a pitbull like mix and the 3rd dog was a austrailian shephard type. As the 3 came after me I picked up the pace to stay ahead of them but I wanted to keep an eye on them because i have heard stories of mayhem that seldom is dogs biting but just getting tangled with you and the bike and then you are trying to figure out how to stop the bleeding. This day was different. The 3 dogs were all about the same speed but then the the hearding dog sped up enough to get ahead of the other two and thenjust hearded the other two dogs back into the yard. It was beautiful. The other two dogs were back behind their fence frustrated that they couldn't chase me down the road and maybe a bit confused what had happened. I laughed. What a kill-joy that 3rd dog is.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-57387927299548289822009-10-08T08:03:00.007-06:002009-10-08T08:56:09.710-06:00The Bro<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6HEQgdDiy26RYQ0yBoY02PQG4SjBu0WszMm5TOS-QtYdh8QQxnQtj0cOoAuvGCuZXt4f2g8lFHfNQuwsCIFfIafpBbm9-DTe_jMTqj7NfEJBVgNmkr22FM0uQ74Z-ob1qh81/s1600-h/DSCN0032.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6HEQgdDiy26RYQ0yBoY02PQG4SjBu0WszMm5TOS-QtYdh8QQxnQtj0cOoAuvGCuZXt4f2g8lFHfNQuwsCIFfIafpBbm9-DTe_jMTqj7NfEJBVgNmkr22FM0uQ74Z-ob1qh81/s200/DSCN0032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390235971253340514" /></a><br /><br />My new bike that seems to be picking up the name "the bro" is fabulous.<br /><a href="http://sabrosacycles.com/">John Russell</a> has out done everything that I could imagine. The workmanship is amazing the style is spot on. It rides great. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Top Ten things that I love about this bike</div><div><ol><li>I know the guy who built it, with love and passion for bicycles, like no other.</li><li>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")</li><li>Front rack that makes you want to order pizzas for pick-up</li><li>Nifty chain-guard.</li><li>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. </li><li>Lugs </li><li>Sabrosa built stem.</li><li>Drum brakes and internal gearing. very clean</li><li>Matching fenders</li><li>Periwinkle</li></ol><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYErN4dHuxbeLuP3-4_5J9nCbupR7QLSMipuZ_ncU4xnadXsosHK-xN0iiy3BFNhVIUrcRQuzsiMwsrXDEL9ABn6B02ScXj4dnbXfFNgr4S8FYFfBujAWHBe3ukLH_bQf07fgF/s1600-h/DSCN0027.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYErN4dHuxbeLuP3-4_5J9nCbupR7QLSMipuZ_ncU4xnadXsosHK-xN0iiy3BFNhVIUrcRQuzsiMwsrXDEL9ABn6B02ScXj4dnbXfFNgr4S8FYFfBujAWHBe3ukLH_bQf07fgF/s320/DSCN0027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390231235724892354" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2f6KiyXCDxrxOzkNxmPrAEgFKx-Ua7X7JUKH9QXlZS_wLUHgnom6QVQZurAi4cispE9O8SvAxjXDS4UYOjJaosaeGjul1zz9Nl07fOb_g7FE__ULj2955K24IGUcQNtd8olC/s200/DSCN0057.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390233481704540146" /></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-74501977592643466832009-02-08T11:48:00.002-07:002009-02-08T12:11:30.349-07:00"there is no place for optimism in engineering"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrWTeLFIY5odT-XW8otTFMbuMRQ_4hzOQi6uipTlCra2k6JUda6GtlXz1Iwn5jp-f5PGZuF3br3T_tGWFpAAK-yRt6NtLI4QZ4u555wDzec-UeDR6Bg6HamfDfKn7LqSOZrrV/s1600-h/kb+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrWTeLFIY5odT-XW8otTFMbuMRQ_4hzOQi6uipTlCra2k6JUda6GtlXz1Iwn5jp-f5PGZuF3br3T_tGWFpAAK-yRt6NtLI4QZ4u555wDzec-UeDR6Bg6HamfDfKn7LqSOZrrV/s400/kb+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300500679145901906" border="0" /></a>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.<br />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. <br />For hour and half of one of the best minds in bicycles was standing in my store. I was just amazed<br />Strong - Light - Cheap (pick two)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-43955354224722492112008-09-08T08:35:00.003-06:002008-09-08T08:47:54.138-06:00Wait ,Wait, that's different.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj456z8woWK3Oq4kpv45WDNE8kD4JuTEDo9SHhulWEgHhsPHwYaflxtwCaue0_pOIOdKGUHGQ4CH3LLQK75uXlZAk3qccyZ_uXtdGJ0gUZ-ulLjm3CBuvFGUiIRYX6qMb7eG_Yf/s1600-h/Bicycle+History+141.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj456z8woWK3Oq4kpv45WDNE8kD4JuTEDo9SHhulWEgHhsPHwYaflxtwCaue0_pOIOdKGUHGQ4CH3LLQK75uXlZAk3qccyZ_uXtdGJ0gUZ-ulLjm3CBuvFGUiIRYX6qMb7eG_Yf/s400/Bicycle+History+141.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243662016378959746" border="0" /></a><br />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. 255/1000Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-45587894451153667682008-09-06T21:24:00.004-06:002008-09-08T08:34:52.898-06:00Tight Pant Militia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9muAAGYuV042kjll-RygQiADe3FoHhR4C_9XclXm5huRsPtv7T576eEPS7qZuGzyiXjp_1jCjjvw9BeF1NZetFCfoELdi-BIzcLufxJAhAIjpjV6yZGrWSgp0VRa6nOOJiWVW/s1600-h/alley+cat+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9muAAGYuV042kjll-RygQiADe3FoHhR4C_9XclXm5huRsPtv7T576eEPS7qZuGzyiXjp_1jCjjvw9BeF1NZetFCfoELdi-BIzcLufxJAhAIjpjV6yZGrWSgp0VRa6nOOJiWVW/s400/alley+cat+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243116530234305554" border="0" /></a>Down at our new <a href="http://slcbike.com/">Salt Lake City Bicycle Co.</a> 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.<br />Last week I was invited to join them in an alley cat race. <br />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.<br />I did finish, winded and cross -eyed. Usually I have strong feelings about obeying traffic laws. That got put aside for about 45 minutes.<br />Long live the young, punk rock and alley cat racing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-72668879826834405622008-08-20T22:36:00.006-06:002008-08-20T23:20:11.848-06:00How I spent my Summer Vacation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc5wzxUiPtojXASnsCoXXLvC40Kot9XjJH40g6M3gBiB-DFIfmtnwTqiU9gz_zDc3vg3srb7QyVX3aIyP1m23sivwU7kx9yA2BU8WB6N_j8Pf5GndogMAsla498_IzfcCtGFV/s1600-h/trek+whirled+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc5wzxUiPtojXASnsCoXXLvC40Kot9XjJH40g6M3gBiB-DFIfmtnwTqiU9gz_zDc3vg3srb7QyVX3aIyP1m23sivwU7kx9yA2BU8WB6N_j8Pf5GndogMAsla498_IzfcCtGFV/s320/trek+whirled+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236829227594351282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Top Ten things I did with the time that was my summer vacation<br />1 Rode bikes with my wife on our anniversary. It has been a while.<br />2 Hiked with my family and friends in Capitol Reef.<br />3 Spent some long overdue time with my oldest son that is leaving for college in 4 days.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAJnfr0gv3JdbVNM8mDWjWMibutXon7IhdkWd5VVN5yAZakZGixureINBXEBVOXs68sV0OPTaJZf5KLib7uUp_w65FDfq8LmXug3YCj7JTc70wE1u3xcOOq2OWYyoVNeWPfgo/s1600-h/Bicycle+History+248.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAJnfr0gv3JdbVNM8mDWjWMibutXon7IhdkWd5VVN5yAZakZGixureINBXEBVOXs68sV0OPTaJZf5KLib7uUp_w65FDfq8LmXug3YCj7JTc70wE1u3xcOOq2OWYyoVNeWPfgo/s320/Bicycle+History+248.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236831197284140322" border="0" /></a>4 Swam two times.<br />5 Opened a really cool bike store.<br />6 Saw a parade.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA0XuZY9RkjZBPKOPExmZlKiLmqKEU72hw8uqZSEZqwQN_Xhp9GhOLlYK3bxgdr8PTXfci3BqTOxCuAlmepICpwxP83R8HzItEB8WFnggfGBxwKPYzLIgvWu_yQwTU3-wHP5d/s1600-h/Bicycle+History+080.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA0XuZY9RkjZBPKOPExmZlKiLmqKEU72hw8uqZSEZqwQN_Xhp9GhOLlYK3bxgdr8PTXfci3BqTOxCuAlmepICpwxP83R8HzItEB8WFnggfGBxwKPYzLIgvWu_yQwTU3-wHP5d/s320/Bicycle+History+080.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236832429870637810" border="0" /></a>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.<br />8 Spent more money that I have ever spent in one summer.<br />9 Rode in a boat and had a good time being dragged. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6T5z5s_deD8B8-L47DL0r5dLnWwBDqSnfiVk405XnmT-iakhS9NOnm7SSdNEcndL7_fxF05zpES0j1zgcEUnrbGutmb-7kASmcAtQEqiC6F2_a1jnFeU53ZK7TdyPOgCAQKO/s1600-h/IMG_0221.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6T5z5s_deD8B8-L47DL0r5dLnWwBDqSnfiVk405XnmT-iakhS9NOnm7SSdNEcndL7_fxF05zpES0j1zgcEUnrbGutmb-7kASmcAtQEqiC6F2_a1jnFeU53ZK7TdyPOgCAQKO/s320/IMG_0221.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236834425737839122" border="0" /></a><br />10 Made some memories that will last a lifetime.<br /><br />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.<br />220/1000Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-23645288374557208772008-07-13T09:59:00.002-06:002008-07-13T10:26:32.419-06:00Effective weight loss programDiet and exercise. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />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.<br />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. <br />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. <br />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. <br />by the way. Coffee smells really good.<br />188/1000Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-78245774297178188202008-06-29T17:23:00.003-06:002008-06-29T17:47:44.269-06:00The Season of Work<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXfbztuIkYVshITiEt0dO1D-gPcv_ko5COmpJnqTrE-VQcFLQhw3TqTwhMU1n71v_G2EoKP9ejidIuPB9yhyphenhyphenXFN3aQuT-cF3RXJLECOxawoqoQLgyKizxzMssupRxDTgpmSM2/s1600-h/Bicycle+History+216.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXfbztuIkYVshITiEt0dO1D-gPcv_ko5COmpJnqTrE-VQcFLQhw3TqTwhMU1n71v_G2EoKP9ejidIuPB9yhyphenhyphenXFN3aQuT-cF3RXJLECOxawoqoQLgyKizxzMssupRxDTgpmSM2/s320/Bicycle+History+216.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217449716731243298" border="0" /></a><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />I forgot the miles before, so now I am at 178/1000. I hope that trend changes soon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-72884165246015082432008-06-16T21:33:00.002-06:002008-06-16T22:06:54.096-06:00Balance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoRBL8Tc0cpWKuBNps-s12Kfw3ecNpTa6q3pB9z63nBggIcnCIyHciHM4XCIT6ppMPLMQocpLgRatHw1cot0WMCzGqfQkOMlrxgDvDfIQ53ERu4TPLgxJZc9txgCj8pZrzwEG/s1600-h/IMG_0120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoRBL8Tc0cpWKuBNps-s12Kfw3ecNpTa6q3pB9z63nBggIcnCIyHciHM4XCIT6ppMPLMQocpLgRatHw1cot0WMCzGqfQkOMlrxgDvDfIQ53ERu4TPLgxJZc9txgCj8pZrzwEG/s400/IMG_0120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212688746351540482" border="0" /></a><br />After a long day and arrangements to get home included a train and a lot of pedaling I was perplexed by the state of being a second class citizen. these are the rules from the Utah Transit Authority.<br /><p style="font-style: italic;">For your convenience, bicycle racks are located at each TRAX station. You must provide your own lock. Downtown stations have bicycle racks located in close proximity to the station. TRAX passengers are allowed to bring bicycles on board the train providing the following guidelines are followed:</p> <ol style="font-style: italic;"><li>Bicycles must board through the front and rear doors only of each car in the train. No bicycles are allowed on the access ramp.</li><li>Bicycles must not block doors or stairways to the train.</li><li>Cyclist must stand with bicycle at all times.</li><li>A maximum of two bicycles are allowed in the front and rear of each car.</li><li>The bicycle must be free and clear of most dirt and grease.</li><li>Cyclist must walk bicycle while on the station platform or when crossing the tracks.</li><li>Cyclist must wait for the next train if the train is too full to allow the cyclist to board.</li><li>No fuel-powered vehicles are allowed on trains.</li></ol> <p style="font-style: italic;">Violations of any bicycle rule may result in a citation being issued by Transit Public Safety Officers.<br />UTA Ordinance 98-01</p>Someof these make sense. But after a long day I realized that I really wanted to sit down. if you can only put your bike on the front or rear of each car and the front and rear consist of doors and stairs you really can't stay out of the way. Last time I had a bike on a train was in Portland and they had some of the same rules. They also had a bike hook that allowed you to hang your bike vertically to the side of the door where it was out of the way of everyone and the cyclist could sit down instead of doing the doh -see - doh with other passengers. Needless to say I was inspired by Rosa Parks and I took a seat in the front of the train and kept my bike out of the way. <br /><br />The good news was that the ride from the last train station to home was everything that you would look for in ride. there was even a few magical moments. <br /><br />Appologies to anyone and everyone that has ever been discriminated against. I don't want to make light of the real and ugly side of discrimnation. This is just about as much as an average white guy gets and it is a reminder of how bad it has been and is for others.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-63329388521932289322008-05-31T21:41:00.005-06:002008-05-31T22:13:39.339-06:00Deja Vu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTlSt4TFoIl4DqNL6W8owN1_A9hELUiUQB75687d1uZelGZiRhJJWgU58q6-89vkNX-SqMmZLHCW8PV4sZaqJM8_tUDj76D7Khv6jlcseZ6ma0x8mGteeFa_Ds00qOwQkaY0v/s1600-h/IMG_0063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTlSt4TFoIl4DqNL6W8owN1_A9hELUiUQB75687d1uZelGZiRhJJWgU58q6-89vkNX-SqMmZLHCW8PV4sZaqJM8_tUDj76D7Khv6jlcseZ6ma0x8mGteeFa_Ds00qOwQkaY0v/s400/IMG_0063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206753516721645938" border="0" /></a>John brought me my bike last weekend. I was so excited to see it. The color reminds me of a rivendell that I had a dozen years ago and unfortunately for that bike the only thing t<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPxrhSA4fcCIdvBRd8Fr7eLCx_u98sa3aIh-TMGzV4C4OSj3fEiXPyyPgesMyD0v8sy36gQ-vUdww47DpeLtFeHtUEsFosm6KXUJc0E1V3rURGLd49z6_RQMV3fYsXNxCtgLd/s1600-h/IMG_0094.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPxrhSA4fcCIdvBRd8Fr7eLCx_u98sa3aIh-TMGzV4C4OSj3fEiXPyyPgesMyD0v8sy36gQ-vUdww47DpeLtFeHtUEsFosm6KXUJc0E1V3rURGLd49z6_RQMV3fYsXNxCtgLd/s200/IMG_0094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206754878226278802" border="0" /></a>hat I liked about it was the color. With the giddy excitement of a new bike I put all the parts on it. My son (a recent high school graduate) was with me when I did this and he was suprised by how quickly it went together. It was like putting on a broken-in pair of shoes and your toes just go into the assigned spots. Well I got it together late on Sunday and woke up early on memorial day to see it pouring rain. I was upset because I was way overdue for a real ride. I thought that I could wait it out. Well at 4 pm after a full day of rain I thought that I couldn't wait. I pulled out the rain coat and a fender and went out for 30miles. <br /><br />This is my bike.I have owned it for years. No new parts, nothing changed other than the paint and a couple of superfluous bits. Somehow it felt better than I had remembered. I loved it. I really want to ride that bike.<br /><br />Mark me down for another48 miles since my last post. I am embarassed that it is so few. but that is one road ride, one mountain bike ride, and zipping around the city. Riding around the city and riding on trails is not a good way to accumulate miles but the certainly are as good for the soul. 63/1000Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34924433.post-15060881605305745792008-05-21T07:33:00.003-06:002008-05-21T07:45:30.895-06:0015 down 985 to go<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm9FNhtM-BWoxgeIuci7uyZ8vSe8eKetpX1jHZBsZfjLRt9enNsqNP4OcdQsiY2K-IlsMb6iaRXqqTfN0dQkXML8YOvkE4RP3Xa9-uGCLn-DQ7Gs9JtQBSDgkqmGzKTuEAxwo/s1600-h/10_18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm9FNhtM-BWoxgeIuci7uyZ8vSe8eKetpX1jHZBsZfjLRt9enNsqNP4OcdQsiY2K-IlsMb6iaRXqqTfN0dQkXML8YOvkE4RP3Xa9-uGCLn-DQ7Gs9JtQBSDgkqmGzKTuEAxwo/s400/10_18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202823940510501170" border="0" /></a>So this is sort of what I expected to happen. I spent about 15 miles in and around Salt lake City on Thursday, Friday and Tuesday. Downtown SLC is actually quite a nice place to ride a bike. There are plenty of cars but none of them go too fast. There are big trucks and meter maids placed about. The roads are wide and there is almost always room for a pizza cutter sized wheel. It is refreshing to see so many other cyclists. I anticipate doing all errands in the future by bike. I need to update the 18 year old burley trailer to haul cargo now, so that I can do even more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3