Um Guys, Is That What I Think It Is?

In a town where fat bikes are a dime a dozen it takes a special bike to turn my head in the dead of winter.
Case and point, I saw this gem locked up at the USGS office when I got to school.

I'm operating under the assumption that I'm mistaken, but I have a hunch it might be one of the bikes that helped create "a whole new sport."  I'm thinking it is a 1981 Specialized Stumpjumper.  I'm looking at you Nick and Andy to verify or dismiss my hypothesis

 

It's welded, the '82 was lugged. The downtube decal says 'Specialized'.  The later years said 'Stumpjumper'.

I would apologize for the crappy cellphone pictures, but I'm not sorry, I was in a hurry.

I'll see if it's there again tomorrow and perhaps see if I can figure out a few more details.

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The red Raleigh on the left belongs to a former classmate of mine, I plan on asking if he knows the owner of that vintage steed.  Oh, and for those of you into fat bikes, that is in fact a Surly Moonlander just creeping into the lower right corner of the picture.  Size small frame I believe.

In other news, Tarik let me into his club.  Got this excellent postcard in the mail:

You'll have to take my word for it, but the front of the postcard was equally awesome.

Tarik, if there is a way to procure a small stack of those, apparently custom made, postcards let me know.  I'd love to mail them far and wide.

While I am admittedly proud to be the only member in Alaska, I'd like to see that distinction changed to 'first'.  There are some fine folks up here who would make great club members.

"Dad, I think I need a dual crown fork like cRavens'."

Sure you do buddy, sure you do.

Fat Tire and Slammed Saddle

Rode around the hood with Little wRider for a bit before heading to school to be productive (AKA: update the blog).

Passed this guy going the other way on my ride in.  Realized I was almost the antithesis of his set up on my fat-fronted singlespeed with the seatpost slammed.

Why?  Because it's fun.

I like the cushy tire, and the slammed seatpost let me goof off, manual, hop over roots and curbs and simply changes up the pace of riding bikes. 

Try doing things differently sometime.  You might enjoy it.

Moment of Clarity

I realized this week that my parts bin has almost enough parts to build a 26" mountainbike. Just need a frame to hang them on.

There is a Surly 1x1 frame on Craigslist for $300 in my size (it's even green).
Comes with a bottom bracket and cranks, two of the three things I don't have in the parts bin. $30 more for a headset and I'd have myself a rockin' singlespeed.

Here's the part where I realize how bad I've got the bug. . . the dishwasher is broken. It conked out a few days ago. I'm pretty sure there's no way I'm going to resurrect it, but I'll fiddle with it a bit. So we should buy a new dishwasher.

Given a choice between the 1x1 frame and new dishwasher I would choose the 1x1 in a heartbeat.

I would rather have yet another bike and have to do the dishes by hand for the foreseeable future, without a doubt.

Fortunately (?) I have a wonderful wife who won't let this happen. At the moment we don't have the money for a new dishwasher, much less a bike frame. Grad school, one income, student loans, a toddler and I'd still rather be doing the dishes by hand.




Maybe if I offer to wash ALL the dishes for the next four years she'd let me buy the frame. I'd do it to you know.

Moose Get Hungry This Time of Year

GSC posted this photo today of a giant moose apparently eating his bike seat. Bummer.

Nevermind photoshop, it's all about perspective.

Photo by GSC