A Wild Finish

Heading into the last round of Northwood playoff games one team has clinched a spot in the Championship game and four others all have a shot. Next Saturday is going to be a hectic, tense day with the final three round robin games all having teams fighting for a berth in the hardware games. Brandyn scored the prettiest goal of his hockey career on Saturday after predicting that he would score one.

I took the fork from Sophia into Farzam and he quickly jumped out of the chair where he was resting on a slow Sunday afternoon. Minutes later the slightly damaged threads were re-tapped and I was leaving with the proper Campagnolo tools (borrowed) to reassemble the frame. You may save some dollars shopping online but you will never get this kind of treatment from a business that you only visit through a webpage. Support your local bike shop.

And for today's Marinoni Monday, a close up of a 1982 Marinoni from the Schwar Flickr page. The chromed lugs and pantographed fork make me drool with envy. Sophia is a beautiful bike (imho) but can't quite match this one.

gorgeous detail

Fat Bike Workout

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It was still -20 when I got to the Centennial Park parking lot with the Salsa Mukluk 3 hanging from the rack on the back of our Subaru. The temperature proved to be the biggest challenge of the day, but not because I was too cold. 

I started off with 2 layers under my light winter jacket, jeans and Under Armour pants,  2 pair of socks, Banff Ridge boots, a fleece neck tube, my free Mark's gloves and lined hat. 50 feet from the car and I knew the hat was not going to work because of the neckline so I traded it for my warmest toque.

My first impression of the feel of the bike was 'man this is slow going'. The entire hour and a half of riding was mostly the same. I averaged about 6.5kph. I went along the wide and well packed trail next to the frozen Current River, crossed the bridge into Trowbridge and then tried some narrow single track [about 18" wide] for another km. It was twisty and overhanging branches kept me ducking. If the bike strayed from the packed snow trail it was a sudden stop and then a major effort to get rolling again because width of the packed snow wasn't enough to let me stand beside to do a rolling mount.

After 45 minutes and only 5km I headed for the car and was completely soaked. I undid my jacket and stuffed the neck tube in my pack. I didn't want to cool down too much but any wetter and I'd chill and be done for the day.

At the car I took off all my upper layers except the base, had a couple sandwiches and coffee for lunch while frosting every window in the Subaru. I put on my wool sweater, a wind breaker, a lighter pair of gloves, merino neck tube and went out again.

I started with the same trail along the river but then carried on past the bridge on less travelled trail and climbed a very long steep hill. When I first looked at the bike I wondered why the crankset sprockets [22/36] were so small. Halfway up I was wishing they had made them smaller. To keep the front wheel on the ground you have to keep your nose over the handle bars. To maintain traction your butt has to stay back so there is weight on the back tire. Standing does not work at all. Coming down the hill on my return was the only real sense of speed I felt all day but that came with a very chilling self made breeze.

All in all it was a fun way to spend a day off and a great workout. Once I was used to the slow pace and warmed up I enjoyed just getting outside for a ride. The rhythmic cadence that lets my thoughts wander a bit while riding on the road is just not possible on the Mukluk at least not with varying terrain. From spinning wildly in the tiniest gears to go up and then overspinning down a slight slope I was constantly changing gears to try and maintain some kind of even cadence but never seemed comfortable for long.   

In the battle of what kind of bike I'd rather be riding the fat bike loses to the fast bike. I can imagine riding 350 miles as they do in the Iditarod where these bikes first came into prominence, but not at this speed. Add in the gear they have to carry and the additional layers of clothing to handle Alaska in the winter, umm no thanks. I'll stick to feeling like a sausage in my skin tight bike shorts and jerseys.

Thanks to Farzam and Nathan at Petrie's for loaning me the Mukluk and for some guidance on where to pedal the beast.

Mukluk at the gate

At the new bridge to Trowbridge

on the main trail along the Current River

resting

Alien artwork under the highway

singletrack

September Wrap

I surprised myself with 750km in a busy month. Lisbeth is off the road as of this morning. I moved the lights to the GT and have decided to use it for commuting until the snow falls. I am really looking for a road bike as that is the type of riding that is my interest now and my weight allows me to ride a skinnier bike. Lisbeth may have to be sold to get a top end bike, not sure how that will go over around here. She was supposed to be my dream bike but I was a lot heavier then. The evil Farzam showed me the BMC gran fondo gf 02, a new smooth riding road bike that would fill my needs, comfy but fast. He always knows how to throw temptation my way in the form of a beautiful bike. Evil, evil man.
I did a 50km ride Saturday and despite a strong wind I had a great two hours on Bonnie. She rolls so smoothly and I have finally learned how to climb. I am zipping up hills that used to leave me winded and barely moving. It was tough to be at the rink and in the college Sunday when I really would rather have been out on a bike, any bike.
I spent two hours on a coaches meeting for the 64 teams in LMHL Sunday afternoon. Before we were even off the stage I got email from a team that was not present asking questions that had just been answered. Frustrating to say the least. Meanwhile back at the Gardens 7 kids out of a group of 20 showed for the hour of free power skating instruction. Free to them but at $135 for the ice and $150 for the instructors it's not free to the league. More frustration. It would have taken 100 km to cool me off.

Highlights of #56

My 56th started with a project I had been reading about, lubricating chains with paraffin wax. It takes a little longer than simply dribbling some more lube on but is supposed to keep things nice and clean and it doesn't attract dirt. We'll see.

Sal made me some eggs with cheese and spicy salami and gave me a bottle of Effen cucumber vodka. I love this stuff in a caesar.

Next I took a 90 minute, 34 km ride on Lisbeth who has seen limited action this month. I've been on a road bike kick lately but she still provides a very comfy ride and is rock solid.

After a shower we headed out on a few errands. Petries was our first stop as I needed a master link for Bonnie to complete her chain service. The road was 'closed' in front of the shop but we snuck through. Parked next to the shop in the lane was Cindy Loohoo's food truck. These are popping up around town and I guess it's about time. We shared some fries and then finished up our errands. Not a great day for the road to be closed.

At supper we went to Mama Alfa's for her amazing Caesar salad and pizza. If you haven't tried this place put it on your to do list. We've never had anything but great food at this little place.

Sal made me a carrot cake and Aj, Jess, Jen, Curtis and Brandyn came by for a slice. While they were there Cullen dropped in via facetime. Man that kid can pack away the food. 

Finally we decided to take in an outdoor movie, Evergreen the local volunteer group was screening 'Despicable Me' at Widnall Park so we grabbed our folding chairs, sweaters and some snacks and watched it on the side of the building. The city was running the same movie down at Marina Park but with Ribfest going on it was going to be pretty busy there. The kids running the movie were a bit disorganized and the crowd was thin but it's a great movie for adults and the few kids who actually sat and watched.

All in all a nice relaxing day.

Waxing Molly's chain

Effen Cucumber vodka, best caesar ingredient

Food truck outside Petrie's, great fries

Beer, caesar salad and...

pizza at Mama Alfa's

outdoor showing of Despicable Me

Choices: Veterinary Surgery or Bike Shop?

Something about the Farmer's Market always makes me feel there is hope for Thunder Bay. I don't know if it is the sense of community or just seeing people gather and support local business. But I always feel good when I'm there. There was live music, people wandering around shopping, eating breakfast and just having a good time.
This morning I covered the Petries booth and had more fun in five hours than I have in a week at my real job. Most of the people that stroll through have no desire to buy a bike but the models that Tom has selected are colorful and beg for people to stop and take a look. There is plenty of sticker shock, but then a lot are surprised at the color schemes and retro styles. The older crowd are taken back to bikes of their youth. Kids just want to ring the bells. An older English gentleman was checking out a three speed internal hub and was searching for the name of the old system that has been around for years. When I said Sturmey Archer, he was shocked that I knew what he was trying to recall. Three separate people wanted a price for Molly, my 74 Raleigh single speed which I had parked on a rack with the newer models. Sorry that one's not for sale, it's my ride home. I love showing people bikes and talking about them....hmmmm? I can usually fix most straight forward mechanical problems....hmmmmm? Have to have a long talk with Tom.
The one thing I was most disappointed with when Sal left for Calgary was that the two noisy budgie birds were still in a cage in the back room I use as an office. She knew it and agreed to selling them if I could. Lots of luck, maybe the cage but the birds would be tough. So with everything going on with the bathroom I just let it be. Of course one of them decides to die during week one. Today I went into the office and the other one is hanging upside down from a little perch with an Asian inspired tent like covering. I took a close look and the damn thing was caught like a fish in a gill net. It was wrapped around his neck and under one wing. So I grabbed a pair of scissors and began what I call an emergency Asian hideout ectomy. It took 10 snips, while trying not to dismember a wing or leg,  to free the stupid thing. I had to hold the cage with one hand in an attempt to keep him in the cage which they have never left. I finally gave up and freed him with both hands at which point he bit me and took off. I got him back in the cage and then he seemed to calm down and was looking at me as if to say thanks. Stupid yellow bird. Wish I could have just walked away and let stupidity run it's course.
When I finished at the market I went over to the shop to pick up the Trek. I haven't got a name for her yet but I think she looks pretty good for what I paid. Farz had her all tuned up with new shifters, red bar tape and a matching red bottle holder that I had picked. The picture below serves three purposes, gives Sal a look at her tulips, gives you a look at the bike and reminds me to cut the grass whenever it stops raining. Hopefully I won't like riding the bike too much so I can just leave her in Calgary as planned.
I have to warn anybody riding an orange bike with an orange jacket. My involvement with the city's "you know me campaign" is out there now and although it is designed to make it safer for cyclists, there are probably some hockey coaches that will run you off the road if you're wearing orange. Being the guy that signs all the suspension notices for a season doesn't tend to add new friends. I'm going to wear green just to be safe.

One More Day

Another season of hockey is almost done. In a few hours two teams will be crowding around a trophy, two others will have a short cry and then leave it all behind. It's been a good year, no major problems. I've tried to downplay having a grandson in the league and since he's not really a big factor in the games yet it has been easy. It will get harder once he gets more involved. Two weeks ago they were down 1-0 in a game against the weakest team. The other team had 2 in the box and a minute to go. The clock might have run for a few seconds longer than it should have. A parent wanted me to have the timekeeper put time back on the clock. Not going to happen. I'll be pulling for his team quietly in their big game today, but very very quietly.

Sal and I stopped in at Petrie's this morning. Farzam was quick to show me some of the new bikes that have come in. Hopefully I'll be able to ride once spring gets here. My hands haven't really gotten any better. Not sure what to expect. Some mornings they are so stiff I doubt I could squeeze a brake lever. It's going to be a long way back. Walking has stabilized my weight but I still feel lousy. Maybe just feeling sorry for myself but there are so many worse things so I should just get at it.
 

Simple?

Today's weigh in was another shocker, 242. My last day at Petrie's before the Quest to the West, as I'm dubbing it, and an adventurous one it was. I started out with a pink girls bike complete with tassels on the bars, trued the wheels and set up the brakes, cake. Next a simple flat repair, simple my a**. First of all there was lots of pressure in the tire which is odd if it's flat. I took the wheel out of the frame and the shear weight of it told me it would be full of anti-flat compound, a slimy goo that is supposed to seal small leaks. I pressed on the valve...nothing. So I got out my trusty knife and cut off the valve as I could not get at the tube with the pressure still in it. A sticky, runny liquid like beige latex paint oozed out. I got over a garbage can and let it run. It stopped and I poked it with the knife and a 1 inch high fountain formed as the contents drained. Then it blew. Good thing I was wearing my glasses. So the 'simple' 10 minute flat repair became a 45 minute clean up. Later on I put together a new bike, trued another wheel, boxed a bike for shipping, swept up and called it a day as things had ground to a halt.

I grabbed a bike rack for the Quest to the West as Mike and Mel have decided to make the trip to BC so Eowyn will have somewhere to ride. It hold 3 bikes so Sal and I will be able to take both of our bikes a little further from the house for a ride.

Yes Virgina, Work Can Be Fun

It's been a long time since I went to bed looking forward to my next day of work.  A long time since work was fun. I spent 12 hours at Petries today, 10 working and 2 hanging out after. Not all of the work is fun. It can be frustrating, not knowing exactly what's next or how to pull it off even when I do know. Being in 'Farzam limbo' used to drive me crazy. But those times when I can't do anything because I have to wait for help or instructions or a decision are getting less and less often. I'm slowly learning enough to move on to something else until the wait is over. I still hate front derailleurs but love the whole experience. A repair can be going straight into the toilet and then something or someone comes along, we have a laugh or coffee and a  cookie or maybe a piece of garlic sausage and talk about the hockey game last night. I see at at least 3 people I know from outside the shop every day and it's okay to stop and talk to them. This may never be a permanent thing but it sure is a breath of fresh air.

week 1/4
toast, banana, 3 coffee, 3 pb cookies, 2 slices garlic sausage, handful chocolate raisins, pot roast with carrots, corn and potatos, clamato juice

2 Assembled 1 Saved

Half a day at FCD and half at Petries today. With repairs finally caught up I got to assemble 2 new bikes. First a Marin Stinson EZ Step (a path bike) and a Felt F75 road bike. The Marin went along fine until I came to the front derailleur. I just could not get it right. Finally got some help. The only other bike in the shop waiting for assembly had 'carbon' all over it. Nathan told me not to be afraid so into the box I went. Carefully went through everything and then Farzam took over to setup the shifting and share more secrets. Once I get my hands on something and understand how it works I seem to be able to think it through, just watching it done doesn't cut it for me. One of the other guys was packing bike boxes with garbage and sealing them and I gave him a hand to haul them outside. He joked that it's funny they had never thrown out a new bike. Not 5 minutes later as I grabbed one of the boxes I noticed how heavy it was and looked inside and saw nothing but the shine of a new cluster of gears. Sure enough the box had been damaged in shipping and resealed with tape making it look like one of the garbage-filled ones but actually contained a new bike. People regularly go through the garbage they put out so it would probably have disappeared overnight and wouldn't have been missed for a while inside. I guess I earned my keep today.

the Felt F75








week 1/3
2 pcs toast, banana, 2 coffee, 2 spring rolls, salad, water
week 1/2
2 pcs toast, banana, coffee, cheese, 2 hm buns, steamed rice w/pasta sauce, 5 strawberries, water and a beer

Learning

Mike leaves for Victoria BC today on a 5 day sailing trip around the Gulf Islands on SALTS with 24 students and 2 fellow teachers. The hardest part for him will be missing the Canucks games as there are no electronics allowed. He can bring his phone so he'll know the score but that'll be it. Ahh, the price you have to pay to sail on a tall ship for 5 days. Enjoy you lucky so and so...

I got out for 40km on Sunday with Jill. Not a great day for a ride because of the wind which just won't go away lately. That and my shorts keep irritating me. I did my good deed for the week helping a kid with a chain that had overshifted into the spokes of a bike he was trying to ride home from fishing. His chain was so dry I barely got my hands dirty. There sure are a lot of abused and neglected bikes out there.

I spent the day at Petries again today. Overhauled another 3 bikes and with another guy just about caught up on the repairs. I'm pretty much on my own other than the odd question but I'm still getting the worst case bikes. That's the way to learn I guess.

I'm going to try this again. No x- just put it out there.
week 1/1 - 260
2 pieces of toast, grapefruit juice, banana, 2 coffee, 2 lemonaid, (the best) spaghetti meatballs and sausage, hm buns

The Chair

My first day at Petrie's was pretty productive and the shop is a fun environment to work in. There are characters coming in and out of the place all day. Tuned up 4 bikes and started another. Lots of things to learn, lots of grease to clean. My only hangup is not being sure and having to wait to ask a question when Farzam is busy, and Farzam is always busy. In brakes alone there are about 4 different major types and then a good dozen variations of each. I need something to fill the void when I can't finish a task. Some of the bikes are in such terrible shape and everything needs to be fixed or replaced but I'm never sure how far to go, how deep the pockets are. At least when I'm done with one now I can see a major improvement in the condition.  Back again Friday.

One event that was big was the destruction of the chair. Tom bought a barber chair in 1964 from the barber shop that closed next door. It' s been sitting right across from Farzam's workbench forever. A couple and their 10 year old girl came in and as the parents were looking at a bike the girl slammed herself into the conversation piece and broke the cast steel frame in three places. Not even a word of apology from anyone. They may not have realized the shock we were all in. That chair, weird as it may seem, has been a centerpiece for nearly 50 years. I've seen lots of customers sitting in it as their multi-thousand dollar bikes were assembled or repaired. Hopefully a welder that can tackle cast can be found to fix it.

At least I haven't jinxed the H***s yet. On the winning goal I actually reacted with a quick fist pump. I guess I really don't like Ovechkin. I guess we know who's shaking now. Can anyone see the H***s running around their own end for 45 minutes a game and coming out on top for another 4 games? Against the Penguins?

Wednesday I got skinnier, today was a draw.