October 25th, 2007 — Uncategorized
So here’s what he looked like a few days ago, parked against a picturesque wall downtown. It wasn’t a photo shoot; just an opportunistic shot, so the rack is on, the bag is on, and the water bottle is there (but notice how it’s Lexan; 6.99 at Target!). Also notice those grips. They were made from an MTB tube, held on with duct tape. The bike now has black cork/rubber handlebar tape, with gel pads underneath. More bulky, not as well done, not as cute, but more comfy. And the reverse levers seem to work great. I screwed up the bar tape installation when I had to remove it and reinstall, after realizing I’d done some of the brake cable installation wrong :(. I hid my mistake fairly well, though. And notice that there is no actual cable to the rear brake. The housing is held in place (for now) on the top tube with adhesive tape.
My favorite parts? The awesome Sparrow 490 bars (they feel positively diminutive) and the tires (panaracers). It’s a sweet ride.
Next? SADDLE! (this one is not so comfy).
September 19th, 2007 — Uncategorized
Current bike setup, moosehorns and all
That there’s the bike. I’m tempted to call it “ox” or “moose” instead of “La Pulga” (which I’ve decided is its name, since that’s where I found it). I’m enjoying this bike quite a bit, which is good, since Mr. Bikey, my 2003 Xtc2, needs new bearings and a new race cup (sounds more personal than it is). [Note: I finally (!!!) got hold of someone from Giant customer service (I used the phone number 800-874-4268, and got transferred several times; it is HARD to find any contact info for the largest bike manufacturer in the world), and they told me a new headset is $40, ordered from my LBS. I'll probably do it, because they said there's no technical manual or specs available (unsaid: to me)] .
I am seriously considering going singlespeed on this, since there are no hills around here, and I mostly just commute (2 freakin’ miles) anyway. But I have no real complaints with the gears or the weight of the bike. I rarely shift (note where the shifters are), which removes most of the hassles of a geared bike, but it’s nice to shift down in a headwind or up on an open stretch.
Okay. Back to work. More pictures after the cut.
Continue reading →
September 5th, 2007 — Uncategorized
So, a bunch of mail stuff is arriving this week. Some of it I waited all summer to order (shipping to Canada is insane, plus duties… heh heh… duties…)
I have already received…
~ my SanDisk Sansa Express 2GB mp3 player. I love it.
~ my big huge extra-strength, UV-resistant tarp (turns out it’s a little *too* big) to cover my kayaks. I’ve already burned through 3 normal-sized tarps and a couple of old bedsheets. Man, the sun just kills things dead.
~ MR. BIKEY!!! He arrived this morning. He’s in pieces still, but both he and the box look undamaged. Sigh. His shipping has now cost me approximately as much as I will have spent (when I’m finished) on both Canada bike and La Pulga. Again with the lessons.
I am still waiting for…
~ BoxWave screen protectors for my PDA (old one is nearly worn out), my point-&-shoot digital camera, and the next item in this list. These screen protectors are expensive, but they last for years and perform amazingly.
~ my saved-up-for-8-months exercise-reward Canon Rebel Xti!!1! :D Friday it should arrive. And UPS doesn’t deliver on weekends, so I’m going home early to camp by the door. I’m sure there will be way too many pictures on here for a while after that.
That is all.
September 3rd, 2007 — Uncategorized
dead dishwasher at the pulga where I found the bike
I just received this from the former owner of the bike (whose name, I think, will be Pulga or Pulguita or something; or Mr. Zippy; maybe):
You did a very nice thing to alert me of the situation. I had given that bike to my son several years ago. A few months ago they moved from one house in Dallas to another. They got rid of a lot of stuff they didn’t use anymore, including the bike. In fact they donated it to goodwill or something like it. The story of how it got to you, and so fast, would be an interesting one to follow.
Woo hoo!
In other news, I’m finally (like 10 years after I got it) outfitting my blue Prijon Yukon (which I call the Blue Pig). Putting in a heel pad, seat padding, and knee/thigh rests. Maybe some thigh braces later. Turns out the contact cement makes you get a headache. Maybe I didn’t ventilate the house enough.
September 1st, 2007 — Uncategorized
So I know how irresponsible it is and everything, but before you say anything, just try to imagine what it was like. There I was, out in the flea market all alone, walking along, and I had already been tempted by a $10 singlespeed Schwinn ladies’ cruiser just about Alex’s size, as well as cruelly mocked by any number of Murrays and Huffys that looked SO much better before I got close.
And you know I have never fully recovered from the Vera Horsman experience (even though that centurion was much better for her than it would have been for me). I been pining, you know?
So put yourself in my shoes. There you are, thirty meters away, jaded and longing for bikeness, and you see THIS:
zippy at a distance
What do you do? What do you do?
Me, I talked to the guy, and then talked some more. He wanted $65. I had $31. He wouldn’t let it go for that. I walked away. He said $50. I still walked away, because I only had $31. I went to an ATM and got $20 more, and brought it home. Continue reading →
