Recent Bits and Pieces

Since You Asked

I got a follow up question to my sidewall post a while back. (I know, I was shocked too. Some people actually read this stuff, and one of them even took the time out of their life to write me with a question.)

The sidewalls in question are from a pair of Nokian Freddies Revenz 2.3" studded tires I picked up this winter.

Allman just bought a pair for his new Big Dummy and confirmed that his have the same thing stamped into the side.

Looks like we're going to have to confine our Big Dummy riding to 'designated DH courses only.'

Should be fun

This Evening

There was more snow for tonight's ride home than I had been anticipating.
Last weather report I saw called for accumulation of < 1inch
Oh well, I'm not complaining about first tracks.

Big, Fat, Wet Flakes

School bus was stuck and abandoned.
Flat ground, with chains on, still got stuck

This Afternoon

My mother-in law is in town.

I decided to ride trails to school this afternoon.

I'm not saying those two things are related.

I'm not saying they aren't.

Winter shoes

It's sled dog season.
Cool to see them out running on my commutes.

Sometimes

Sometimes you bite the bullet and pay too much at the LBS (local bike shop).

I needed a new kickstand. The nice double legged stand I've been using has been on loan from Allman. He bought himself a Big Dummy, so now he's got a use for the kickstand.

I figured I'd throw a cheap kickstand on for the time being and see if it was adequate. I'd seen made in the U.S.A. Greenfield kickstands at Ace Hardware before for about $5 and figured no big deal, I'll go snag one from the LBS.

I appreciate my LBS, I want to support my LBS. I knew it might cost me a couple bucks more there, but not a big deal on such a small purchase.
I walked in with little wrider, told them what I needed and they hooked me up. Only thing is it cost three times what I'd seen at the hardware store.

At this price I could be well on my way to a fancy two-legged stand from Velo Orange, but I'm in the shop, I told them what I needed and they had it for me. So I bought it.

Like I said I want to support my LBS, I know it costs more to get stuff up to Alaska, I don't want to buy from the bigger chain store, and I'm willing to pay a bit more for that. But 200-300% more is a tough pill to swallow.

But I know that down the road the folks in there are going to take care of me, either with a quick repair on the cheap as I'm on my out of town for a week or riding, or a backdoor bargain that might not be available to the general public. Maybe it will just be consistent, friendly service for years to come, but I know that ultimately the extra price of that kickstand will be well worth it.

Although I'd rather have paid less and brought a 6-pack in for the shop, oh well.