Monday, May 31, 2010

Surly, One Freaky Family

Like I said earlier a good bike geek buddy of mine dropped by to visit for a couple of days. It was fantastic to catch up and swap stories about the past few years.

Whilst plotting his visit we discussed grand schemes and epic rides. Possibly a big ride through the mountains of Glacier National Park, or a high plains century, or a few days of rallying the local trails.


Reality was dictated by the weather (it rained a lot) and other major life commitments and events. Regardless he parked his truck when he got here and didn't get in a motor vehicle until he left several days later. We ran errands on bikes, visited the farm supply store/fly shop and even snuck out for an evening rider goofing off along the river.

He brought out his Pugsley and traded it for my Big Dummy and we rallied around on the freak show bikes. I have to give props to the crew at Surly, they have come through with some fantastic and innovative bikes, as well as some really solid interpretations of the classic bicycle.


Big smiles were plentiful as we cruised around and goofed off on two wheels, whether they were super fat or super spread out.




Saturday, May 29, 2010

Yehuda Moon

Yehuda Moon is back!

I should have said something a while ago, but now you know.
I enjoy this comic every morning with my morning coffee.



Good Friends and Bike Geeks


A buddy stopped by for a visit in the middle of his cross continental road trip, fresh off a multi-month bike tour of Latin America. Good to hang out, and really nice to have another bike geek around even if my wife does regularly end up just shaking her head at us.

I was happy swap bikes and rally around on his Pugsley, while he rolled the BigDummy.



Also, recently had to run to the hardware store for some home improvement supplies including a 10ft section of downspout.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

That's a Load of . . . . .


The view from the snapdeck as my bike takes me to Big R

Almost anything, Big R's got it.
This could be trouble.


4 bags of manure and compost onboard

Gotta get some wideloaders sooner or later.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Dummy Build


Like I posted before the Dummy is complete and in action. My folks came and visited for a week to hang out with their first grandchild. While the little dude did command most of the attention the Big Dummy definitely spent a bit of time in the spotlight.


In spite of a week of lousy weather, including a couple days of wet sloppy snow and high winds, my dad took the Dummy out on a couple of rides. ( He also rallied around town on my Cross Check a few times.) He got a big kick out of the Dummy's carrying capacity.


Mom walked to the store one afternoon to big up some groceries for dinner and was gone longer than we expected. When I called to check on her she was just getting ready to leave the store. I offered her a ride home on the Dummy and she accepted without hesitation.

With out further ado here is the build specs for all you bike geeks out there:

Frame: Surly Big Dummy w/ Xtracycle Longtail Kit

Fork: Surly Big Dummy

Cranks: Shimano LX

Bottom Bracket: Shimano LX

Pedals: Redline platform

Front Hub: Surly New Disc, 36 hole

Rear Hub: Shimano XT Disc, 36 hole

Rims: Alex DM24, 36 hole

Spokes/Nipples: DT Swiss 14 gauge, Brass nipples

Front Tyre: Maxxis Holy Roller 2.4" (soon to be swapped for a Big Apple)

Rear Tyre: Schwalbe Big Apple 2.35"

Front Derailer: Shimano XT

Rear Derailer: Shimano XT

Cassette: Shimano XT, 9speed

Front Brake: Avid BB7, 180mm rotor

Rear Brake: Avid BB7, 180mm rotor

Seat Post: unknown brand (given to me by my brother in-law.)

Saddle: Brooks B17 Honey

Headset: Cane Creek S3

Stem: UNO Ultralite

Handlebar: Origin8 Spacebar

Brake Levers: Avid FR5

Shifters: Shimano Deore, 9 speed

Grips: Redline



My mom giggled the whole way back from the grocery store.