And They're Off!

Sun is shining and studs are off all the way around (well, except for the cars, but that's not as important as the bikes.)

Memorial Ride

Memorial ride today for a local commuter killed on April 5.
Maybe 100+ people, I'm not great at estimating moving crowds.

2nd ghost bike at the site. DOT removed the first in a matter of days.

Worth a thousand words

Spring has Sproing.

Signs of Spring from today's commute

It's Chaco season again!
Photos of my feet aren't gross if they're in black and white, right?

I have to share space on the racks again.

The only moose I saw today

I'm now considering the moniker 'The Freighter' for the Big Dummy.
Hauling some science stuff.

Streams are finally breaking up.

Snow free side streets.

Mountains and bike lane signs.

Bluebird afternoon.

Smiling on the inside.

The welcoming committee when I got home.

Big Dummy Got Shingles

We had a pretty good windstorm on Thursday.
Friday Little wRider and I cruised over to the hardware store for some replacement shingles and roofing supplies.


With careful route selection it wasn't TOO sloppy, but as you can see you couldn't just blindly follow the bike lanes.




Studs just came off, so nice to be rolling on the Big Apples again



Blue skies and reasonably warm temps dictated that we take the long way home.
Happy Friday indeed.

-wRider

Thanks for the Warning

Good to know.

Sort of Spring

Here you can see the mud flap on my front fender.
Dorky, but effective.

Pulled the studs off the CrossCheck last night.
Took it out for a quick spin this morning.
Felt light and quick on pavement and it was really nice to be able to really lean into corners again.

Of course I pointed it straight for a nearby gravel road that I like and ended up riding icy road and then slushy trails. I love the way this bike handles itself, even when things are sloppy and it should be washing out on me.

Spring?

Studded tires are off the CrossCheck

New rear fender is on

Extra long dorky mudflud is installed on the front fender


Bring on the slop

-Bikesnob says it best

Old Dogs

Our freaky lab went and saw the vet this week. She's been showing a gimpy left leg for a while now, especially after exercising. Diagnosis was arthritis, which is better than some of the other possibilities. She's 8 years old now, and has definitely slowed down, but she still loves to get outside. I ran across this trailer on craiglist this week.

I have an old burley exactly like the base they used for this set up. I was thinking of doing the conversion to a cargo/dog hauler, and seeing this just sealed the deal.





Hopefully the old girl digs it.

Bike Swap Buys

The local bike club had a bike swap today. Considering I was went there with All man I feel pretty good about how little money I spent. I did impulsively purchase a new (to me) bike, but it could have been much worse.



I scored a few good deals and a couple of freebies. Dura Ace brake levers and the Selle San Marco saddle were free. and I only dropped $40 between the OnOne Mary bar and the Crank Bros Mallets. Not sure what I'm going to do with the Mary bar, but it was too cheap to pass up.

The big purchase was a new road bike. I've casually searched for an old Bridgestone in the past and haven't found anything worth what I could afford. I caught the seller of this bike just as he was arriving at the swap and could pass on what he was asking for the bike.


I am a little curious about the story behind the fork he had on there, but the frame was a good fit, 105 parts spec and everything seemed sound.

My crosscheck keeps getting heavier and heavier as it gets more utilitarian. Racks and fenders and all that goodness adds up. It will be nice to have something that I can keep simple and ready to roll out some miles on without all the extra accessories on board.

New Fixed Gear in the Household

Built up a new fixie last week.
Little wRider seems pleased with it so far.