corehouse

What's this strange sensation...?

2009-01-17T18:47:00.002-06:00

The mercury topped off today at a positively balmy apex of 25 degrees. And considering that was 30 degrees warmer than when I was last on the bike, I decided it was a moral imperative to get out and pedal like fuck.

I headed to LBS #1 to pick up the shoes that were given to me last weekend (Kickass, Johnny Sprockets. Here's a tip o' the hat to ye), then I headed south to Cycle Smithy, where I needed to discover all the arcane methods of Brooks saddle tightening; then I jaunted over to REI, where I really didn't need ANYTHING, but figured would be as good a destination as any; then I headed back north, where the "thunking" upon front brake application threatened to drive me insane. So, with a final stop at Uptown Bikes, it was diagnosis: street filth in rim. After a gentle sanding, the nonsense was no more, and it was happy trails (except for the dozing asshole drivers on Broadway) all the way home.

So with the above gauntlet being run, I scored a decent 15 miles for the day. Hardly epic, but more than I've done all at once since being back from New Orleans. And you know what? I'm feeling strangely fine... :-)

Wow. It's been a while

2009-01-14T19:02:00.002-06:00

First post of the new year. Far out. So far, I'm finding 2009 highly overrated. ;-)

But I managed to get back to New Orleans for the holidays, suffering with a WICKED sprained ankle; in fact, it got so bad that I had to hunt down a doc the day after Christmas and get the jive sorted out. It was a BAD sprain.

That night, I was riding to meet a buddy!

Mom got me 2 700x 28 Vittoria Randonneur tires, ably mounted to the wheels of my Bridgestone 500. Needless to say, I was chomping at the bit to get out and ride; compounding the mania was the fact that the southern weather was largely in the 70's during the vacation, and NO's lunar-surface streets were wonderfully bereft of the gritty asshole filth and ice that characterize Chicago's mean winter streets.

And it was a holiday of bikey gifts. I gave Mom a sprung Brooks saddle, and sis got a Planet Bike blinky light set. Mom a near-mint '83 Trek 620 and the saddle was TOTAL CLASS on her steed. I really think she dug it. And one day we made off to the newest shared-use lane in the city and had a killer 20+ mile jaunt in the balmy climes.

Holy Christ, do I miss it there.

I'm thinking my best laid plans to make it to Portland as a resident may be on hold. I realize how much I love having my family and best friends in arm's reach, and Oregon is starting to feel a bit too remote for my liking. So my choices for (hopefully SOON) relocation are New Orleans(again...), Austin(again...)....and well, okay, Portland...If it promises not to snow anymore EVER!

I think this just about sums it up...

2008-12-21T09:52:00.002-06:00

'Cause words kinda escape me at the moment...

Snowpocalypse!

2008-12-16T16:47:00.002-06:00

The day started well enough: mild winds (especially for winter!) and beautifully-cleared roads on which to do my two-wheeled thing. I should've figured that was too good to be true...

Jumpin' Jehovah! I could've used some Nokians today, for the sky delivered an unholy blast of snow on Chicago. It began around midday, and continues to come down relentlessly. and all I can hear now are the sirens outside, coupled with the awful slushing-crunching sounds of all te cars driving in the snow. Blarg.

And for the first time in three winters, I actually had to get a co-worker to DRIVE me home. I feel a little dirty. I walked about half a mile from the grocery store to my apartment, and I managed to fall on my ass twice.

Any wonder why I keep dreaming, night after night, that I have moved somewhere else?

So, it's either some Nokians, or maybe I can rent out the Heat Miser's services for a spell. Or is it the Cold Miser?

Testing ye olde car-free resolve

2008-12-15T17:15:00.003-06:00

Helluva day to start a car-free life. Not that I would've opted to drive today, but I found it kinda funny that today delivered low double-digit temps, coupled with soulkilling, gusty 30 mph winds. And I didn't have the option of driving at all. THAT felt great!

I worked from home, but had to run a few errands; and luckily, I am armed with some damn proper cold-weather armor. But what's ultimately daunting is the ice on the streets. The city's bold "do-nothing" initiative leaves the streets as slick as the Valdez spill. But I just rode slow n' easy, and managed to kept upright despite the asshole slickery and the unholy gustage.

And tomorrow, full-on winter hellishness is predicted. Good times. Nothing like riding home after work in both rush hour and nigh-blizzard conditions. I can't go home for Christmas soon enough!

So it is done

2008-12-14T15:29:00.002-06:00

No, I didn't find a job out of the hostile tundra. But I have throttled over a significant hurdle that has been haunting me for far too long: Today I sold my car.

I got a 2000 Civic when I lived in Austin, and have dragged it around mindlessly to every place I've lived since. What with cycling everywhere in Chicago, it became a real impediment to well-being, considering it just sat around for months on end, accruing tickets and got towed thrice on suspicion of being abandoned.

But today, that all changed. it's GONE. And I only had to whack $400 of my asking price. I feel like celebrating, but the car's only been of peripheral concern to me for the last couple of years; maybe the best course of action is just to act like nothing happened.

Then go score some Lebanese food.

Battered by ice!

2008-12-09T20:18:00.002-06:00

Also, from riding in the abominable conditions over the last week, I've eaten a fair deal of shit on the bike. The nearly-invisible ice has had its way with me. Bastard. So I've landed on both right and left sides, and right now I feel like I've done 10 rounds with an amphetamine-fed Mike Tyson. I just looked at my right elbow (the latest victim of the cruel slickery), and it has a sweeet abrasion scab on it.

If I keep this up, by the end of Winter I'm gonna look like Jake Lamotta circa Raging Bull. Only in living, loving Technicolor.

Oof. WIDE load

2008-12-09T19:48:00.002-06:00

I have battled fatassery all my life. I was basically raised a veal; I never had friends in my immediate neighborhood, meaning no outdoorsy physical outlet, and my typical pursuits were reading and drawing. I tried my hand at both soccer and softball, and was less-than-marginally happy with both. In fact, my soccer team never won a game during our first season. This was the modus operandi until about age 14. Then I discovered broads (chicks).

Guess what facilitated getting around Baton Rouge oh-so-clandestinely in a usually-futile attempt to woo girls? MY BIKE. Yessir. And nothing fed my ego than when a comely lass would exclaim, "you rode 4 miles to see me?" Hee hee. So after several years of merely riding around the neighborhood to score Now n' Laters, I realized this 2-wheeled sucker was capable of getting me to the most remote quarters of Louisiana's capitol.

But despite all the riding I did (and still do), I remained a baby gorilla. But my diet was utter shit, and I eventually gave up the bike for a misguided life in debaucherous rock n' roll. I didn't own a car until I was 25, but I was suitably impressed by my stoner friends' Camaros, Trans Ams, and the occasional classic Mustang.

But what was most impressive was that most of these folks' parents would cook up this absurdly-huge meal when I'd visit that would ALMOST satiate our weed-bred rapacity!

Fast-forward 20 years. Me. Now. In Chicago. I ride TONS. Gave up the Rock. And my diet got waylaid by the wonders of ethnic foods I had never tried before living in New Orleans. Couple the indulgence of gastronomic wonders with absolute K.R.A.P. conditions outside (greatly hindering my ability to ride my proverbial ass off), then you arrive at some bold new girth. I've actually had to take up doing a mild circuit of weight-training in my apartment to fend off the bloat; so far, the results are inconclusive.

Shit. Long story short: I gotta GO. Living in these harsh, wintry conditions play havoc on my mind and constitution. These days, it takes every bit of wherewithal to even head outside and take the wee-est O' spins. Grr. I'm still eyeing milder locales for relocation, but so far, jobs have been far and few between. And I desperately need to live somewhere where I can be outside, year-round (without the fear of the weather killing me!), so I can shed some of this excess girth. Jolly Giant, I ain't (or don't want to be!).

Enough. No more negativity. I'm gonna let my veggie chicken nuggets dissolve (so far, wreaking curious havoc on my G.I tract), then it'll be time to recline and read a book about New Orleans. Should be a good night. ;-)

Frustrated

2008-12-07T19:37:00.002-06:00

I'm chilly, tired, and draped in a killer swatch of ennui.

So far, this winter has been fairly freaking brutal. Not a week into December, and I can't recall the last day it was above freezing. And the city has apparently decided to adopt a bold "do-nothing" strategy when it comes to clearing the streets of snow, making cycling OH SO MUCH FUN.

I'm going back home for Xmas (a lovely 1000 miles southward), but am already pre-dreading the unfortunate return to Chicago after a week being bathed by the sub-tropics.

I rode the Riv on the Lakefront path to work the other day. The trail looked as if the world's largest margarita glass had spilled over, making my way to work a salty, wet, obnoxious slurry. The same can't be said for the actual city streets. All the residual icy bullshit has been heaved into the bike lanes, making us all-year cyclists feel just THAT more marginal than we already might be! And woe to you if you wanna opt for a side street. Those are resplendent in that lovely beige-meets-brown oatmealesque snowmass that does nothing but hide the glacial mess underneath. Super.

I'm gonna sign off 'til tomorrow. Not feeling uber-positive at the moment, and I'm not too keen on clogging the InterWeb with my maudlin negativity.

"Woe to you, O earth and sea...

2008-12-02T17:43:00.002-06:00

For the Devil sends the Beast with Wrath."

Not only these the words that presages the vicious guitar salvo of Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast", but they ably illustrate my fear of more snow in the forecast.

Just substitute "Beast" for "snow", and "Sea" with "Lake Michigan", or maybe even the Chicago River...

Truth be told, Chicago's been pretty damn fortunate to have had a relatively mild Fall; I rode a century comfortably in September, and was riding in shorts (granted, with wool tights underneath) maybe a week or so ago. But when the snow came, it CAME. It arrived like an unwanted load of junk mail that had been on hold, just waiting for its recipients to return from vacation. Blarg.

I guess what really chaps my ass is that these conditions really slice into my weekly regimen, and that lovely padding 'round my middle inflates like a monster truck's (Gravedigger?) tire. I recently dropped a few dimes on some proper wool undergarments, and they have proving ten times their worth over the last few days. So it's not the cold that's daunting. It's the WIND (30 mph on the way back from work); it's the perma-ice that sticks around due to the constant cycle of thaw and re-freeze, making every other block a treacherous glacial odyssey; it's my co-workers constantly asking, "Goddamn! You RODE in this shit?"

Well, that last item's kinda bullshit. Those are the kind of outlooks that keep me rolling through the tundra, despite Old Man Winter, the Abominable Snowman, scores of Yeti, along with Elvis (with Satan riding shotgun) in a '57 Chevy being less than 20 paces behind my fat ass.

Down, but not quite out

2008-12-01T19:13:00.002-06:00

Wow. What a year and a half it's been. My RB-1 got wrecked, my best friends all suddenly moved form Chicago (leaving me with approximately 0.0 friends), my grandmother passed away, and I became a self-loathing recluse. Hot fucking action.

Lately, I've realized this part of the country just ain't for me. I'm obstinately hard-wired to revel in warmth and goody outsideness, and with each passing day of below-freezing temps, I get more and more aggravated. I'm still riding, mind you, but in the last week or two, I've seen my weekly mileage cleaved in half!

So the question is: where to go? I went to Seattle and Portland a couple of months ago, and really REALLY dug Portland. It didn't hurt (obviously) that it's quite the bikepicenter, but I also have one of my oldest, dearest friends there. He's the type of guy that you don't see or rarely talk to in years, but can catch up with IMMEDIATELY in a matter of minutes. Great guy.

So as of now, my feelers are out in PDX, Austin TX, or (kinda regrettably) back to N.O. This economic climate isn't exactly conducive to this kinda roll, but screw it. It has to happen.

BTW, I put too much rice in tonight's crawfish etouffee. I'm a bad expatriate. ;-)

Wind, wiildlife, and gastrointestinal distress

2007-04-14T16:21:00.000-05:00

Luckily I didn't stay up too late last night, and was able to wake up at a pretty reasonable hour and get my slow morning burn going. Around 11:15 I left for a jaunt to the North Branch trail. The entrance is roughly 7 miles west of me; there was a mean wind shooting out of the east, so I was able to use it to billow my sails and get to the trail head in record time! This also meant, however, that I was going to have to fight this bastard on the way back home.

About 10 minutes into the trail, I started spying wildlife: young, white-tailed deer (not totally sure of the genus/phylum/species, etc., but they DID have white tails) and they were off to the side of the trail, grazing. There was a French woman with a little dog, and this pooch was going absolutely batshit nuts with all of the deer around. I snapped a pic (I was hoping to get more of the deer, but just managed to basically capture the frenzy of the pup):

But further down the trail, I able to see more and get pretty damn close. I was trying to tread easily so I wouldn't disturb their repast.

But about five miles into the trail, I was met with a mean case of GI distress--was it the pizza of last night coming back to exact revenge? In any event, I felt that I desperately needed my home field advantage, so I scurried back homeward. Of course I was met with the devil eastern wind, and my lower regions were about to go critical mass. By the time I got home, I definitely think atoms were beginning to get split. And I was also met with more wildlife at home:

So, after I dropped off the kids at the pool, I still wanted to be outside (despite the fact that it was in the low '40's and windier than hell). I ended up riding to Performance in Lincoln Park and snagging an on-sale backpack--an item that has been painfully absent for years (HOW DID I LIVE WITHOUT ONE??)--then rode to Jewel and decided to make BBQ ribs at home. All the grocery store items fit wonderfully well into the new backpack. I am digging it. I just hope the ribs don't pound my guts like last night's pizza did!

Enough is enough

2007-04-13T18:59:00.000-05:00

Wow. I think I was seriously sideswiped by seasonal affective disorder--I have been really bitchy and crabby, pretty depressed, and ready to argue at the drop of a hat. My Southern wiring is definitely not used to being overtaken by snow in April. ESPECIALLY after being blessed with a handful of gorgeous Spring-esque days not long ago. And enduring days upon days with no sun and High-Winter dreariness would be enough to make Gandhi kick a sackful of kittens into the Ganges.

In any event, I sincerely pray that the horseshit is over. Even with the typical brute winds of March/April, the "balmy" temps of the low/mid- 50's are enough to assuage my ire. I rode before and after work today, and felt sooo good during both stretches. I think I'm going to start taking the "long way" to work (Irving Park and Ravenswood) via the Lakefront Path and Ohio beach. I forgot how good it felt to take that long, cleansing, head-clearing ride before a day of toil.

P.S. I found out that it's not a ton of fun to ride through Wrigleyville right after a Cubs game lets out. It reminded me of pedaling through Mardi Gras. Just without all the booze, beads and boobs.

Camera phone experiments

2007-03-31T17:30:00.000-05:00

For a cell phone, I find that my lil' toy takes pretty okay-to-below average pictures. However, my unholy command of Photoshop allows me to doctor them enough so's I can upload them and share. So, submitted for your approval, are my latest camerphonepics.

It's barely legible, but I couldn't pass up snapping a pic of a bus with "666" emblazoned on its ass end.

Kiera, my tortoiseshell tabby, resplendent in the midst of my computer room's filth.

Duff, the insanely enormous "classic" tabby sitting in my lap.

Finally, I stopped at the Northern leg of today's jaunt to document the skyline that greets Lake Michigan and the Lakefront trail/Ohio Beach.

The winds off the lake were brutal (go figure), but since our forecast is calling for for days of typically assholish erratic weather, I wanted to be on the bike as long as possible this afternoon. So I rode up to Evanston and dicked about for awhile after I got off the Lakefront trail.

And I also wanted to clear my mind and wrap my head around the fact that I have a blind date tomorrow.....

Camera phone pics

2007-03-25T11:49:00.000-05:00

I had to get a new cell phone not long ago--my first camera phone--but had no way to transfer the images from the phone, other than undergoing an esoteric gauntlet by some third-party vendor. Anyway, the new Macbook has some bluetooth technology that picked up the phone and its contents, so I was able to grab the pics, do some Photoshoppery, and post them here in all of their half-baked glory.

This was taken after I got home from work, fighting what I hope is the last blizzard of the season. This ride was...interesting. Also, this is the state of the 500 before I tweaked it and put a new saddle and other goodies on it.

This is taken on the Lakeshore Path, about 6 miles South of the city. It was difficult to see what I was actually taken a photo of, because the sun glares over the phone's viewscreen.

The new rb-1 on the same route as above. I'm still dialing in/tweaking my position on this one, and loving the hell out of it!

Beseiged by bullshit

2007-03-25T11:03:00.000-05:00

Wow. The last couple of weeks has handed me an extraordinary heaping of nonsense. Between the schitzo weather and various failures/outages of my lifeline-electronic equipment, I WAS just about at my wit's end.

Apparently I have offended the Heavens, because I have been handed the trifecta of bullshit! ;)

First, it was the Comcast outage; it turned out that they had erroneously shut me down, requiring a technician to head out and flip a switch! BUT...then my building decided to have a "No Electricity" day on last Friday--the very day said tech person was slated to come to my apt. AND...when I tried to turn my computer on to get it ready for the appointment....NOTHING. My old G4 had decided to give up the ghost--which I found quite suspicious as it was working fine in the morning. Power surge, maybe? Oh GOOD LORD. What next?

So, I decided to forego good sense and just buy a new Mac on saturday--all signs have actually been pointing to getting a new computer--but I still had no Internet
connection. After getting home with the macbook, I waited from 1 until 6PM, and then when I contacted Comacast, they said the tech had the wrong number and I'd have to reschedule for the next Tuesday. Holy shit!!!!

Well, the Comcast guy came out right on time on Tuesday. Apparently the Company had felt my ire and waived any fees for Internet installation. And the connection came up again, right as rain.

So a week went by, and then, this last Wednesday, I started feeling the pangs of sickness. And over the course of the next several days (and even now on the Sunday) I was bowled over by the worst Goddamned cold I have ever had. I was blowing my nose so much that my entire face was unholy chafed and raw by Friday; i had to find an expendable cotton t-shirt to fill the bill afterwards. So couple that with the wet, grey days Chicago had last week, I crept into a funky, oh-woe-is-me depression.

Yesterday was the first day I felt remotely human so I decided to grab the cold and "ride it off" (think quasi-soccer coach speak). It felt great for the first mile; but there was a palpable wall of frigidity that I rode into, not far from the Lake. I saw another rider at Ardmore and Sheridan and we were marvelling over the ridiculous 10 degree drop. But after acclimating to it, it truly wasn't all that bad.

After I got about 15 miles south of home, I decided to turn around. BUT the winds decided to shift to the NE, and kicked up the densest freaking fog I have ever ridden through. My latent chest congestion was not amused with the wet cold air, so I broke off from the Lake and rode through town for a pretty uneventful trek back North.

It was a pretty miserable crawl--I was physically not quite up for a 30 miler, I guess--but still glad I ws able to grab some 2-wheeled reverie for more than a 20 minute commute to work.

Tickle my ass with a feather, why dontcha?

2007-03-09T17:40:00.000-06:00

I already wrote about my quasi-cyclocross (HARDLY!!) morning freakout, but I have more on my mind than icy paths.

I watched the mercury climb all day long, reaching an exciting apex of 55 degrees Fahrenfuckinheit!! Positively sweltering. So I decided I was gonna leave work early and grab some road around town. I walked to Popeye's for lunch to soak a little of the nice weather in (and I had the crave for some red beans and rice), and to reaffirm my need to leave work early. I went to the bike rack in the work building, saw my bike, and ominously declared, "patience, my pet...."

It didn't help that there wasn't much to do at work, either. We through out a big-assed web site update yesterday, so the bulk of my load had been spent. So I had a lot of time to prowl the 'net, and monitor the weather. Well, the forecast pretty quickly changed from a semi-sunny, early Spring paradise scenario, to 80% chance of rain! The radar showed that Chicago was already under the "mean green" of precipitation bands, so I decided that I might as well leave. I hate riding in the rain, especially during rush hour...especially during rush hour on a Friday!

I am going to ask the Weather Channel to upgrade their equipment. They got the rain part right, but how was I to know that the forecast also called for a 99% chance of assholery on the road? Goddamn. I saw drivers almost cleave pedestrians in two, trying to squeeze every iota out of the short green lights. And some woman yelled at me in the Jewel parking lot, after WALKING IN FRONT OF ME, ALMOST HITTING ME, and NOT LOOKING ANYWHERE AROUND HER. These factors didn't help my frustration, let alone the behind-one-eyeball headachey pressure I've been cultivating all day. And my bike, lovingly cleaned off after a couple of days of filth, is again road-spattered by filth. So it goes.

Jesus H. Christ. Just give me one dry, above freezing day, Chicago. I promise I'll stop adding curse words into the lexicon if you grant me this small, painless boon.

Or stop tickling my ass with a feather and stay consistent, ye gods of weather!!!

(Which is about as unlikely as me stoppin' cussin'.)

Morning cyclocross

2007-03-09T17:32:00.000-06:00

I am writing this after the fact, and a lot of my ire has simmered down. But in any event, I feel compelled to chronicle.

Today's forecast called for an seemingly improbable mid-50's day (55 at this writing) after a prolonged, wet, turbulent winter. At last! So I decided I was going to rise relatively early and grab some miles on the Lakefront Trail. I hadn't been on it in a while; the last visit to the trail was marred by sheets of ice and vast, impassable (by bike, at least) stretches. Well, the path was actually WORSE between Ardmore and Foster, no thanks, I imagine, to the constant, wet/thaw/refreeze nightmare that has characterized the last couple of months. After fishtailing on a seemingly inocuous swath of ice last time on the trail, I decided to play it safe on thee areas. However, when I was walking myself and the bike over a perilous stretch (I am imaging myself as Admiral Byrd...this might help you visualize), I completely ate shit and spilled out sideways! Luckily neither the bike nor I were damaged much, so I was able to continue.

I guess I was getting so frustrated this morning because I wanted a nice, easy reverie with the new bike. I wasn't in to dodging frozen weather and such nonsense. But in the grand scheme of things, a stilted, awkward ride is always better than no ride at all.

Where the hell did time go??

2007-03-08T20:30:00.000-06:00

Damn! I knew I've been putting off writing for a bit, but when I saw that my last entry into ye olde blogue was in the last week of February, it all sunk in. I've been pretty captivated by the new bike. I was able to put it together at work--I brought some tools and lube--and ride it back home. From the get-go, the ride was pretty damned sweet; it seemed effortless, not twitchy, yet was able to feel spry under my ample load.

With the exception of the Brooks I threw on (replacing the white Avocet), the RB appears to be totally stock. And in better condition than I thought an 18 year old bike from eBay would be in. The GPX componentry is pretty slick, and the downtube accushifts still "click." It's novel, I suppose, but I am actually NOT used to indexing any more. I guess I'll let the levers click until they eventually wear out (familiar syndrome on all my bikes since the mid-'90's). So I have been trying to ride the bike as much as possible, despite this lingering asshole fucking wet shit winter, so I can get a feel for it and make tweaks where appropriate.

One off-putting item that came with the bike was (my best estimation) a 150mm stem; the head tube and stack height is pretty decent with the bike, and at max. height, the stem is a little under an inch from the saddle. After riding it for a while, I was feeling telltale signs of a too-long stem. I ended up buying a Kalloy stem from a place in Evanston during one of my "getting acquainted" jaunts. However, when I got home, it seemed that the stem had TOO MUCH rise/angle, so I looked for more options.

THEN I realized I had my Ritchey Force stem from my XO-1. So after work on Monday, uber stoked and ready to get my hands dirty, I took the old wrap off the RB's handlebars, removed the rear brake lever, slipped the bars out, then placed the Ritchey into the head tube....then realized I was missing the binder bolt!!! GODDAMN. Luckily I had some extra bar tape lying around, so I put the old stem back on, re-rewrapped the bars, and resigned myself to taking care of the stem conundrum the next day.

Long story short: the new stem is in place, the fore/aft of the saddle is still being tweaked, and I am re-evaluating my seat height. But along the way, I am loving like crazy the new addition to the flock. And the yellow bar tape along with the red frame finish has a kinda ironic McPaint scheme going. And I better finalize my tweaking and positioning soon, lest the other bikes feel I am cheating on 'em!

Window shopping and filthy saddles

2007-02-22T07:42:00.000-06:00

I was scouring craigslist, the general so-called "Inter-Net", and eBay yesterday morning. My buddy across the street has decided to buy a bike, but his finances are really slim. What he would spend on a spankin' new bike might be better served on finding a decent used one. So I was elected bikexpert by default, and was given the task of hunting down a proper ride for him.

He also is kind of intigued bt BOBishness, and knows fullwell my affinity for Bridgestones. He asked me to find him a MB of some caliber; I had to let him down, telling him they are no longer made, and finding one for "a song" can be easier said than done. So, when I hit eBay at 7AM and plugged into the Cycling area, then typed in Bridgestone for the search criteria, something WONDROUS came up. It was the first day of its listing:

An all-original (as far as I can tell) 59cm 1989 RB-1. The BIN price was absurdy reasonable. You might can figure what happened next. It arrives next Tuesday....

When I told my friend about it, he rightly replied "What the HELL is wrong with you??" I didn't have much a defense. However, this forces my hand to either sell some of the flock, or ship some bikes to new orleans so I can have bikes to rides when visiting. Space is becoming a premium in my wee apartment.

Yesterday I went for a ride in the balmy high-40's afternoon. I left work due to some impending stomach distress, thinking I didn't want to reach Critical mass at work...if you dig my drift. After riding the nastiness out, I washed down my poor filthy 500 and hit the road. Just barely down the melting snow mass filth of the Lakefront Trail, i realized I had forgotten to put my rear fender back on! Needless to say, my ass/backside was spackled with filhy grit, along with the new saddle! I had read that Proofide should be applied to the underside if one rides without fenders; I took it for granted that the fender would be there, so I didn't do so.

Good old Cycle Smithy allowed me to pop by, clean off the saddle, and apply a touch o' the goodness to the Brooks. It's feeling pretty nice, by the way, but I was getting unholy paranoid that drenching it with filth is nothing but shitty for it. But so far, so good.

(my) BIKE DAY 2007!

2007-02-20T19:54:00.000-06:00

First off, I hafta extend a hearty Happy Mardi Gras to everyone---even if the vast majority on the planet, let alone New Orleans, has no idea what it means. Today is Fat Tueday and NO is celebrating its 151st Mardi Gras, and I got pretty forlorn at one point today.

These Blues were mitigated by the morning's commute and the luscious HIGH THIRTY DEGREE weather. I didn't even have to wear my synthetic Ninja mask that has become my second skin under my helmet during these arctic travels. It's really amazing when you have to look forward to literally FREEZING weather. Whoa. And riding in 15+ MPH winds during the last several months has apparently made me a beast; winds today were almost non-existent and I was keeping up with traffic on Clark both before and after work.

Then I found out that ComEd was going to shut our office's power down early in the afternoon, leaving us all to "work from home", or to just fuck off and have a proper afternoon freakout. I had ALREADY chosen the latter when I spied the package on my desk:

THE B-17 HAD ARRIVED EARLY.

Included in the package was a reallll sweet personal touch: someone had caught Mardi Gras beads and threw some in the Brooks box, along with a description of all things pre-Lenten revelry. It was a killer swing that I, as a former New Orleanian, found touching. That, along with an early delivery, has cemented Wallingford a place in my heart. AGAIN...I can't believe that I never knew of the shop when I lived there.

I got back to my place at 3PM, put my new saddle on (I didn't buy any Proofide, however), and set off to feel the magic. I stopped by the Brit's place so I could prod him to ride--he REALLY needed it--and we headed a short distance to Wrigleyville and Johnny O'Hagan's. After a few adjustments, I was feeling nothing but fine on top of the saddle and and am totally looking forward to tickling my ass with this sweet leather feather.

HOWEVER: I keep reading conflicting ways to expedite the Brooks break-in process. Sheldon suggests total saddle submergence; but I've read equal amounts of E-wisdom that profess no pre-treatment! Can anyone offer any nuggets o' good before I fuck up yet another nice piece of bikequipment?

So it is done

2007-02-15T20:19:00.000-06:00

With a steady income comes an ability to indulge my lust (or is it need?) of all things bikey. Just a few months ago, a fender seemed like a total indulgence; now I see it as a necessity. Riding in semi-frozen filth bilge for the last several days has amply proven that point.

The XO's lovely stock Avocet saddle--now 15 years old and having supported my ample bottom for well over 15000 miles and through every possible weather condition (sans earthquake)--is looking tired. Is there retirement age for a saddle? It certainly still fells great, but I feel it should be relegated to a bike that has less attention focused upon it. Time to stave off the inevitable decay. I may slap it on the 500, then take its old Avocet Touring model and put it on the Bianchi; the Touring saddle is beset by awkward asspaddery. And I feel that I'll RARELY ride the Bianchi.

I knew today that it was time for a new saddle. And I knew, from poring through countless testimonials of a Brooks saddle's goodness (my own stepfathers' testimonial when I was young counted for a ton!), that I would have one. So, now that I have been blessed with the victory of PayDay, it has been done.

I was going to go to Wallingford during my last visit home and express total shock that I had NEVER been there during my many years of New Orleans residency! In lieu of that, I ordered my honey B-17 Champion Special from there. I found cheaper versions online, but GODDAMN do I feel a mad fealty toward a kickass New Orleanian bike shop. But I really do wish I could've dropped by in person! What's a few extra bills to help support a lovely shop operating out of the ashes of Atlantis?

But I like to spread the love around. There is a mad flutter for some offerings I've spied at Hiawatha....

(Holy K-righst, if only that bike were BIGGER!!)

Blizzard biking!

2007-02-13T16:51:00.000-06:00

I thought yesterday's ride was challenging; little did I know that I'd be just foolhardy enough to dismiss today's forecast and actually bike through a blizzard!

I picked up a rear fender after work last night-one I can take from bike to bike. I don't have, or really want a dedicated commuter/filthy conditions bike, so I figured this was a good purchase. And I also figured that if today was indeed gonna be a mess, then I at least wanted my sweet ass to be dry at work. And I meticulously cleaned the poor XO after yesterday's jaunt, so I wanted her to be resplendent in cleanliness for at least a day.

So my option for lunacy was riding the 500 to work. I'm not as suave on this bike, but am slowly getting a "feel" for it. However, since the 27" wheels are pretty shot, I set up the 700c's and adjusted the brakes accordingly. Luckily, the pads extended enough. The chief drawback was that these wheels were from the Bianchi, and are running 700x23 tires....not exactly conducive to crushing my enemies (or at least snow and slush) beneath me. At the same time, I didn't feel wobbly, and was really enjoying the feel of the bike today. I don't really know if the difference in wheel diameter really made all that much difference, or if it's because I raised the stem up about a half inch; the fact is that the 500 was a TOTAL RIOT this morning...well until it overshifted and got the chain stuck between the frame and the freewheel. UGH!! THAT was a blast to fix in the inclement conditions.

So, if getting to work was met with little obstacle, going FROM was a different story. Over the course of the day I noticed that the wind had really picked up (over 40 mph) and the torrential snow seemed horizontal! I managed to leave a little early, but the street the office is on--readily passable at 9 AM--was a slushy gauntlet that I had to walk the bike through. That kinda blew, but at least I was outside and heading homewards. And when I finally managed to get on a pedal-able route, the chain was skipping like hell over the freewheel (differential wear from chain and freewheel?); the powergrips were all wet and mucked up, making them really difficult to slip in to; and as I would pass a wide intersection, the NE winds would cleave right in to me and threaten to knock me over fuckwards. At least there was more road for me to claim at 2:15, without having to watch my back constantly for crazed, sliding cars.

In under 2 years of living here, this may be the most snow I've seen fall in one day. There was a considerable amount that fell between 9 and 2, and it looks like the shit is not gonna let up. I think today I may have become that "nutjob" I used to envy when I was trapped in my car and would see that lone intrepid cyclist forging through conditions that would have (formerly) made me soil my underoos by just thinking about them!

That being said.....If I'm gonna continue riding through these kind of conditions (and I pray this ends soon), I want a MF-ing TANK. Not Army issue, mind you, but a fat-tired, fully fendered, bombproof, all-condition ASSHOLE.

P.S. I had to snap a pic of the bike after today's ride. It looks like Saquatch! It's on my phone currently, but whenever I figger how to transfer to the Mac, I'll get it posted. It's a fun shot.

Quite a successful Saturday

2007-02-11T18:32:00.000-06:00

I was INEXPLICABLY hung over when I got up yesterday morning. I recall not drinking much at all with the New Orleanian gang Friday night, but also remembered not eating much substantive at all during the day. We went to some Cheesedick Lincoln Square joint before attempting to go bowling, and I had to opt out of the awesomely outrageous artichoke dip and jalapeno poppers in lieu of (luckily--the only saving grace) hand-cut fries and tatar sauce. I was a Goddamn paradigm of health, I tell you.

So when I got up on Saturday feeling like a belt sander had taken me forcefully in the mind and mouth, the prospects of my trip to West Town Bikes started to look fairly dim. BUT, around 1:45 PM, I finally managed to get my jive together, run to the LBS for handlebar wrap, and head down Damen toward the shop. Nothing like a little two-wheeled penance to get one's shit together. The going was unholy sloooow on Damen, yet made the typically strong western winds an iota more bearable.

West Town Bikes was cool as hell. There were several workstations that one could grab, mount a bike to a stand, utilize all the tools at the shop's disposal (a real wealth of groovy stuff!), and pick any and all persons in attendance's brains for info/advice/whatnot. Good thing, too, because I had absolutely NO experience in dicking with adjusting/removing bar-end shifters; between all those in attendance (THANK YOU Anatoly and Squeeky!!), I managed to get the deed done! The deed being removing my old stem and putting the Nitto Technomic in its stead, and getting the moustache bars back in line. It was tricky going for a while, but in the grand scheme of things I feel like I learned a freaking TON. I am definitely gonna go back and check out all the classes that they're offering.

It was dark when I decided to take off; in the interest of time, I held off re-wrapping the bars. Even with lights, paranoia is the law when I ride through Chicago at night. But I got on the wrapping trail this morning, went out for a spin, and was unholy battered by cold and wind! Goddamnit. I am sincerely tired of bitching about the wind, yet I am in total awe of a force that so profoundly impacts the quality of my rides.

Sorry. I had to go see the Police play "Roxanne" on the Grammys. I was excited, but I've definitely seen/heard better performances from them. I still am excited about their upcoming tour. Being a heavy metal/punk ronk knucklehead in the '80's was a prohibitive barrier toward seeing any music with a modicum of class!

Back to the bike! Last night, the Technomic went on with almost no sweat, was raised it to its amazing, extended glory, the bars were adjusted accordingly, and headed home. Hrm. it wasn't quite the epiphany I was looking for! But when I saw the new setup after today's ride, I noticed that the Nitto bar has a (more or less) negative rise, whereas the Ritchey Force stem has what appears to be a neutral rise; this meant--to me at least--that I needed to get the Nitto up quite a bit higher than if I were raising the Ritchey (if it had some amazing stem length!) the same amount.

So currently it looks like the Nitto has about 5 inches exposed from of the head tube; I'm gonna ride the XO to work tomorrow to see if it seems any more comfortable. If nothing else, the sucker sure is purty.

Strange soreness, lovely addictions, and more!

2007-02-09T18:25:00.000-06:00

Far fuckin' out.

For some reason, my legs feel like they have been pummeled by the fists of an angry midget (Wait! In this PC clime, I mean DWARF). And I have no accounting for it! These last two weeks have seen my average mileage plummet, and I tend to not push the Hell out of myself during the commute. Granted, the wind is strong and pretty brutal and my body hasn't ridden in temperatures above 15 degrees in a Helluva long time, but I am wondering if these current conditions are really the culprit.

So, I spied a semi-new Columbus-tubed Univega frame on Craigslist today for a pretty reasonable cost. at the same time, I hafta ask myself: do I NEED another bike. Um, well NO. Yet, do I WANT one? (Sheepishly): YES. Goddamn! Woohoo! ANOTHER addiction. ;) But I saw it coming. I make okay money, the first time I can say that in my adult life, and I think I'd rather spend a modest amount of money on groovy bike gear than I would on a MacBook (which i really DO need!). My co-workers often notice me prowling Craigslist bike pages, and often offer. "J, didn't you just BUY a new bike??" Damn how these beautiful creatures get inta your blood like this! :)

Finally, I am thinking about heading to West Town Bikes tomorrow. They're offering a experience-led maintenance workshop (12-7 PM) for a donation, and I think it may be the best forum to put my new stem and handlebar wrap on. And with the sultry conditions that the wizened, precognizant meteorologists are foretelling, it'd be a real crime not to take full advantage of this. 2 years in Chicago, and I am sick of saying "WHY DIDN'T I DO THAT????" No more, I tell ye!

And this year, I am NOT gonna miss Body Worlds again.

On riding while colder than I have ever been

2007-02-08T18:04:00.000-06:00

Sorry. "Ode to a Grecian Urn" was taken, so I had to resort to this awkward, inelegant title. But it's been on my mind since Monday. The Great Midwest SuperFreeze hasn't dampened my commuting at all, but it has prevented me from doing any extraneous miles. Maybe with the promise of the nigh-tropical 19 degree temps for the weekend, I can make some road up.

An issue came up this week, though. The 500 seems to want to shift by itself, often after waiting at a light for a period of time. I am wondering if the 0 degree conditions are contracting the cables and forcing a fakie-shift. Hmmm. Other than that, this ole Cyclone drivetrain ("Dude!! Your shit's totally CYCLONIC!!!!") is pretty smooth and sweet. And I also noticed that the stock Avocet saddle is wonky: the rails hve been bent a bit, and the right "asspad" slumps a bit downward, so it's not the most comfortable. All easy fixes, I hope.

BUT. I rode to Wicker Park yesterday to meet my friend. he and I were going to see our buddy Greg, who is the drummer for the Autumn Defense--a damn fine band and a Wilco spin-off. We got to hang in the Wilco loft for a bit and hear AD rehearse. I tell you what: seeing this awe-inspiring space was almost enough to rekindle my dormant dreams of rockstardom. I don't know if I could ever leave there! And it was easily an equipment geek's wettest of dreams. Eeeewww!!!!

But I digress. Along the way to meet Phil in Wicker Park, I felt a mean, palpable wobble from my rear wheel, and it was getting increasingly difficult to ride. At the same time, I blamed the mean resistance on the ubiquitous omniwind. When I arrived at my destination, I spun the wheel, noticed an evident wobble, then it stuck to the right chainstay. Argh. It was THAT untrue. And that also explained the more-than-usual resistance I was feeling while en route to Wicker Park. Now, what chaps my ass is that I just got the bike tuned/overhauled/whatnot, and I feel that a wheel getting so wanged so quickly is pretty odd. However, the deep, molecular dynamics of wheels and tension is not my forte.

I rode the XO to work today, having not been on it in over a week, and DAMN is it a fine ride. Jeez. And I didn't notice any shifting weirdness with it. Perhaps this blows my aforementioned theory all to Hell. What sucks is that I was hoping to get the 500 nicely tweaked so I can take time to install the Technomic stem on the XO and re-wrap the bars. I've never taken off barcons and I hear it could be a lil' challenge.

So, I am going to head to Johnny Sprocket's after work tomorrow and see what I finagle (sp?). at the very least, I am hoping I can get a gratis truing.

P.S. at 6'1" and with a 46 (best to my estimation) shoulder sizing, would 52" wide handlebars just be too wide? They pretty much approximate the width of the moustache bars.....

This should be illegal

2007-02-03T21:06:00.000-06:00

This cold is so pervasive and assholish, that it should be considered illegal. Here is the latest swanky temp reading:

Sweet mother of fuck is it cold. I actually had to strap the old 500 to an indoor trainer today and have a 40 minute freakout. I FUCKING LOATHE this kind of cold.

But I went (crap. drove) to a Marshall's today and bought sweet ski-gloves that should work well for outside cycling.

How in the fucking name of reason do people exist in this kind of weather? Christ Fucking Jesus!! I'm only a 2 year Midwestern cycling renegade, and I'm already thinking again about Louisiana....!

New handlebar Thursday

2007-02-01T20:30:00.000-06:00

"SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!!!!!"

"Whay pay for the whole seat, when all you'll need is the EDGE????"

Okay. Rool back. I have no idea why I was inspired by scrotum-tugging exhortations of internal-combustion-fueled assholery, but what the Hell. some of that crap is damn funnny.

Alright. I think it's out of my system. Back to the task at hand. A few days ago, someone on Craigslist posted some handlebars--"Wider than normal"--and for a LOW LOW price (sorry, that asshole voiceover action is still resonating) of 30 bucks. I met up with her tonight, after a wacky missing identity inital meeting fiasco straight of a movie by a director that only 2% of America has seen.

I waited outside of the agreed-upon spot, but then someone told me it was almost 6, so I figured it was gonna be a no=show. As I was leaving, I unlocked my bike and noticed that 2 women were pulling up. I guess I was iced and glazed over pretty well, not putting 2 and 2 together (and I didn't SAY anything), and I left...thinking somewhere in the back of my head that these women very well may have been the people i was there to meet.

Long story short: i called my Craigslist "liason", and she confirmed that she and her friend were, indeed, the people I was there to meet. So I rode back to Taste of Heaven and scoped out the bars. Whoa. Light. Whoa. WIIIDE. But at 52 cm, they're .5 cm less wide than the moustache bars (which i love), so I figured they'll be, if nothing else, INTERESTING.

But for a new snafu: I am wondering if these more modern bars (that double-stepped slope on the drops) will readily fit into an old-school quill stem. More to follow.

Just the right amount...

2007-01-31T17:55:00.000-06:00

Initially I was a bit leery of a shorter commute to work. I could give two shits about "hitting the ZONE" or getting my fat burning/carb-burning ratio together. Feh. But I used to ride over 20 miles a day and would often ride a total of 150+ miles a week. I GUESS this kept me in shape, but I often felt ass-dragged and lethargic--quite the opposite feeling of what I was hoping to attain!

But now--with a whopping 6.2 mile commute total--I have been feeling mad jazzed after each leg of the ride, and, with the exception of yesterday, profoundly energetic and optimistic overall. I still try to get in lengthier rides during the weekend (these miles are all contingent on my cold-weather/asshole wind threshold), and I still seem to be making 100, or a little less, miles per week. That might just be the perfect niche for me.

And I keep thinking that, come warmer weather (and HOPEFULLY, less wind), I should be in decent shape to make the lonnnngggg weekend rides, and I'll laugh madly at the paltry 7 mph "gusts" that might dare assail my person.

Now if I could just break my carne asada burrito habit...

P.S. The new bike is kicking mad ass and that "buttery" feel is coming--it's a matter of tweaking my position ever so slightly over time. It's good. :)

"Who is Fay Wray?"

2007-01-30T17:05:00.000-06:00

One bonus of being stuck at home on a workday is being able to catch Jeopardy! at 3:30 PM. I think there may be slight discrepancies in episodes in different syndication markets, but on today's Chicago episode, there was a promising contestant: a cyclist from NY who apparently rode from Amsterdam to Paris last summer in 6 days. He had my "vote" for Champion. And Alex even quasi-sagely asked him, "Do you even use all of those (18) gears?" Heh. But then the guy responded "When in the mountains...YEAH."

Well, he performed well, surprisingly so in a Comic Book category, but then got wiped out in a "It Happened in New York" Final Jeopardy question. The answer was "Who is Fay Wray?" Everyone got it wrong, and he blew his entire load on the wager.

C'est la Vie. Life WILL go on...if my magic eightball is as accurate as always.

A somewhat assy day

2007-01-30T13:51:00.000-06:00

I started feeling the pangs of foulness as the day progressed yesterday. I was freaked, largely because it seems like I just got over some jive not long ago. At the same time, an office is awash in a swarm of germs, so it was just a matter of time 'til something snagged. My cool adjoining co-worker got taken out for a day last week, so I figured my number was gonna be up soon.

Ech. I woke up before light with my stomach all clenched up and pained; I'll spare the gory details of my all-too frequent bathroom breaks. Ugh. In any event, the "whoa is me" mantra along with the trips to the can kept me from getting back to sleep for hours. UGH. But then the "flow" seemed to subside, so I was finally able to get some rest. After napping for a few hours, I sat in bed and tried to catch up with my latest issue of Time Out. It was cool, detailing some pretty interesting volunteer opportunities. I've been meaning to do so for some time, but it's hard to pull my head out of my ass at times.

But I think I am going to stop by Felines, Inc. on Saturday and see what I can do as far as donating my time. It's a no-kill cat shelter (Yeah. That's right. I'm a "Cat Person") located a little less than a mile from my house, and they have garnered a great deal of acclaim and seem to be awfully well-respected. I guess this more or less explains the new banner at the top of this page! And beyond doing some good, I'm looking forward to having a new socializing environment outside of work. After over 1.5 years in Chicago, my base of friends has yet to extend beyond a mere handful of people, the large bulk of whom live within several blocks of me.

Bike Note: After I woke up and read for a spell, I was SOOOOO fucking dehydrated that I just had to head out and grab some sports drink/ibuprofen remedy. I was going to actually give in to malaiziness and drive. Yet I realized that in the time spent waiting for the interminably long light to change at Glenwood and Ridge (my car is across the street, having not moved in over two weeks--woohoo!), I could pretty much be AT the store on my bike. So I rode the new 500, and I had my new Converse on, and the Powergrips actually weren't that bad! The right side strap may need some adjustment, but the left felt pretty right on. I'm pretty adamant about having at least ONE bike without a clipless Shimano regime!

The inaugural ride

2007-01-28T13:17:00.000-06:00

The 500 had been sitting around begging to get the once-over from my neighborhood bike shop. So I finally took her there after work on Friday, so I could have a chance to ride all day Saturday. But then the LBS mechanic said the bike probably wouldn't be ready until the PM on Saturday. So when Saturday came, I took a ride on the XO; halfway through the spin, I received a call: IT WAS READY.

When I came in, one of the guys said "Phil (another LBS employee), yer brother's here." Referring to our common appreciation of Bridgestones and all things good n' simple. In fact, it was Phil who sold me a bar-end shifter when I was refurbishing the XO-1. Helluva nice guy. In any event, I realized I had left my wallet back home (or so I thought...I DID have it but couldn't feel it because I was so Goddamned numb), so I rode back home, changed, and walked back to the shop.

Wow. The bike looked amazing. The drivetrain was IMMACULATE, the bike's finish was gleaming, and it really did look new. Not that it was in bad shape before, but the mechanic really did do a great job. He even took the time to call me and explain what he had to do with the headset (re-set the cups) and allow me to choose to do in several situations. Good people. I ended up buying Powergrips and a water bottle/cage, had them do some last-minute tweaking, and I hit the road.

I realized that I hadn't ridden with pedals other than clipless or with toeclips in YEARS! It was so odd and awkward pedaling without these mechanisms in place. Doubly so, because I was wearing these thick, unweildy hiking boot kinda things (my Converse are at the office). I got home, did even more tweaks, then received a call from the Brit who wanted to head to a pub for a bit. I decided to ride to the bar--I was obviously stoked and inspired to ride--and I also wanted my buddy to see the bike!

So technically, my "inaugural" ride was pretty unassuming. So today I installed the Powergrips, braved the elements (18 degrees with microflurries and 25+ mph Northern winds), and headed out with no grand cycling agenda. First I headed in to the wind, cycling North on Glenwood, until it terminated; turned around and headed South on a road that parallels Broadway until IT ended; hopped on Broadway until Irving Park; turned West on Irving Park; then headed North, oncce again, on Clark, facing the excruciating steamroller blast of that brutal fucking wind.

So, the verdict: the bike is definitely a blast to ride. It doesn't have the consummate "WOW" factor that I felt the first time I rode the XO-1; but it's definitely a nice ride. And the fact that it fits me better than any of my flock makes an enormous difference. that being said, I feel like the stock drop bars are waay too narrow (I'm 6'1" and kinda wide), and I was getting odd jabs of discomfort in my forearms during today's ride. I'm eyeing some reasonably-priced (for now, at least) moustache bars on eBay (Yay. more auctions...). Also: the Powergrips aren't exactly moving me. However, I had to ride with my biking shoes because they were the only things at my immediate disposal that would fit in the standard-width Powergrips. The tread on the shoes would catch on the parts on the cage pedals along with the straps, and this make it profoundly difficult to get a comfortable position. And the fact that the shoes are stuffed sausagelike with 2 pairs of wool socks and my ill-built feet doesn't make for the most comfortable scene in general. I'll levy my Powergrip verdict when I try them with my sneakers.

But all in all, I am incredibly stoked about the bike and look forward to getting it perfectly in order and spending many hours together. Whoa. Doesn't that sound positively romantic?

Welcoming a new member of the family

2007-01-22T19:27:00.000-06:00

So I bought the bike.

It's a 1985 Bridgestone 500 that's definitely been ridden (no museum piece, here!), with full SunTour Cyclone derailleur majesty, Sakae cranks, Avocet Touring saddle, with "legendary" Bridgestone brakes. And the guy who sold it to me put on some aftermarket Araya rims (27") that have some enchanting gold luster to them. I have never seen these before. That'll work. Now on to the (minor) annoyance:

The front tire is just about spent, with ample amount of cracking and overall funk. And the presta valve itself is busted, with the little piece one needs to unscrew to inflate the tube missing. Minor matter. But then I tried to unscrew the seat post binder bolt, but couldn't get it to loosen! Then again, I didn't use anything that could give me proper torque. I'm just excited at the moment and haven't settled in to tweak my new friend.

But all in all, it looks like it's going to be a fabulous ride. Just a simple, no-frills ride that'll get me properly from here to somewhere to just about over there. And I think I'd like to try riding this on the Frozen Snot Century. Yet I'm saying all this without ever actually RIDING this bike yet!

And a cool capper to this transaction was just talking bikes to the seller. We gabbed in the cold for about 10 minutes, and I assured him that the bike was gonna get RIDDEN and LOVED. Apparently he once owned over 40 bikes, but the wife is leaning on him hard to thin out the herd. And I could totally tell he was pained by having to do so! If by some miracle you're reading this my friend, Thanks again for the bike and I hope you get to hold on to what remains of your fleet!

Auctions can go to Hell

2007-01-21T20:59:00.000-06:00

I just got the Word that I am to be FULL TIME ENSLAVED. But it's not as bad as ai sounds: decent time off, groovy personal time, and ...HOLY SHIT...proper insurance!!!

That being said, I've been on the warpath to find a dedicated commuter vehicle. The XO is getting testy, what with the stuck seatpost and all, so I've been slavishly scouring Craigslist/Ebay/BOBish Bikes for sale for a proppa ride.

I saw one a bit back: A Panasonic DX4000 on eBay. And it was in Iowa, so the shipping was reasonable. However, as is the case in almost EVERY GODDAMNED EBAY TRANSACTION, some snakebite asshole motherscratcher levied an touchable bid in at the last moment. SHIT!! When will I learn?? And that being said, this bsatard's final bid is STILL quite reasonable... :(

So when I turned to Chicago's Craigslist I was ASTOUNDED to find said item:

I am a simple person. All I want is a reliable bike to ge me from here to there. I called the owner and he said he'd DELIVER the bike tomorrow evening. Truly, it is a peculiar quirk of fate that would deliver a Bridgestone (cousin/relative of all my other bikes), in my size (57-59cm), at a reasonable price.

Strike it all.

I think I'm gonna be happy!!!

Stymied by horseshit

2007-01-18T19:23:00.000-06:00

Before I moved to Chicago, I was really stoked because bicyclists and bike culture seemed to be pretty high-profile and really well represented. And the fact that there was a substantial confederation of cold-weather riders also amped me up! I vowed to make the most of the opportunities and get into the thick of all things bicycle. However, through some nonsense or another, I have yet to really make the most of what the city, along with a myriad of hip organizations, are offering. So I decided that it was a "must-do" to head to Daley Plaza tomorrow morning and see what "Winter bike to Work Day" is all about.

I don't need a festival or gathering to affirm my zeal for riding. However, I was lucky enough to ride in a all-city gathering in Austin--right after Lance won his 1st TDF--and that energy and solidarity was a pretty awesome experience. I'm thinking that tomorrow's get-together might provide a similar energy and stoke my fires a bit. I get the same zing, albeit to a lesser degree, when I see others out riding in sub-freezing conditions. It's goooood!

BUT....my new job is launching a redesigned site tomorrow, and as fate may have it (of fucking course), my end/environment/testing scene went all to shit. I was there until 6:45 tonight trying to get things back on track. Then I was asked if I could come in early tomorrow. I just had to reply, "But I'm gonna be downtown tomorrow morning...." I know I could get away with coming in a little late in order to soak up a bit of the chilly cycling revelry, but the guilt-otine is poised to drop on my neck. What horseshit.

When are obstacles and wanton horsehittery gonna stop being impediments to my good, clean fun?

And if work nonsense isn't enough, now tomorrow's forecast is calling for 30 mph Northern winds. Yoo-freakin-hoo. We shall see what the morning brings.

Cold Weather Convert

2007-01-16T21:23:00.000-06:00

Commuting over the last several months through varying degrees of coldness has fortified my ability to deal with loooow-ass weather. In fact, when I was back home in New Orleans, there were several times that I found it quite warm, yet it never cracked the mid-sixties! So this week's quasi-normal January weather has threatened to weaken my 2-wheeled resolve.

Well, SO MUCH FOR THAT. In fact, I've really been enjoying making my way throught the cold, enjoying a much more relaxed pace, and knowing that, even despite the modicum of chill making its way through my meager defenses, I'd rather be riding than driving.

Today got to be in the mid-twenties; my badass co-worker asked if I rode to the office. When I answered in the affirmative, she said "yer HARDCORE!" A self-fulfilling prophecy, maybe? My last name is Core, and my middle initial is H. Couple that with a long-standing affinity towards punk rock, then perhaps HardCore it is.

In any event, I just got back from Jewel, and realized that 9 PM might just be the most sublimely gorgeous time to ride. Little wind, little traffic, and just the sounds of tires creaking over snow/salt/..stuff. And if you listen closely enough, you might just make out the squeaking of the subtle grin of an curb/car-bound onlooker who is feeling pangs of jealousy.

OH!! And that made me remember: I stopped to investigate a Craigslist bike that looked to be a promising commuter. However, it turned out to be a pretty personality-less, mid-'90's Univega that didn't really grab me. If it were half the price, then I'd maybe consider it. And when I was leaving the seller's high-rise, a skateboarder dude spied my bike when I was unlocking it, and said "Cool handlebars, man!" It was pretty neat because he seemed genuinely earnest. That made me feel over-the-top awesome, and I was all aglow during my short ride back to the homestead.

New Bike Denied

2007-01-15T21:31:00.000-06:00

I got in a frenetic bidding war on a 1991 Bridgestone CB-0 just a minute ago. I figured it would be the ideal commuting/all-around fun bike I need to own. However, whoever snagged the bike must've had some kind of auction software madness kicking. At 8 seconds left a bid slammed in at almost a hundred bucks more than my (almost) winning bid.

God bless you, fair winning bidder, whoever ye be. At the same time, I sincerely believe you are paying HiDollar for the the Bridgestone name; a comparably badass bike can be found for much cheaper. In any event, I hope you enjoy it.

And when you feel like selling it for a fair price, I'll probably be first in line to grab it. ;)

My First Snow Ride

2007-01-15T18:48:00.000-06:00

There was a smattering of snow falling when I left for work this morning. Around 1 PM, I noticed that there was a substantial amount coming down. Like when I first had to drive in snow (just last year!), I felt a little nervousness mixed with a lot of excitement regarding the prospect of riding back in these conditions. I had no reason to worry.

HOW BADASS WAS THIS RIDE??? Wow. Not only was it gorgeous outside, with the snow languidly drifting down and covering everything, but the amount of auto traffic was substantially lower, with those remaining drivers actually operating their vehicles at sane rates. I have to admit I'd feel a lot more comfortable with wider tires, but I found if I kept my wits about me and just pedaled along at a mellow tempo, things went just fine. And I somehow miraculously managed to make every freaking light between work and home. Unheard of. The Gods of Good Fortune and Happy Pedaling must've been smiling down upon me.

My tires and frame all spackled and caked with snow, I was just an uber-stoked, giddy kid when I got home. And my skinny-ish tires DO sound cool creaking through snow.

I am also realizing that since I have had steady employment for a while, my normal misery/survival ways have managed to build up a little whit of savings. Just enough to afford a inexpensive commuter/funbike. I'm eyeing one on eBay currently (normally anathama to me, but the bike will be a fabulous ride), and if i win it, I'll chime back in an introduce the newest member of my steely clan.

P.S. If anyone went of the 2nd Annual Three Floyd's Brewery Ride, please chime in and let me know how it went. I RSVP'd, but wasn't able to get to bed until 4:30 AM Sunday because my band played earlier in the night. Needless to say, I had to pass. Goddamn rock and roll always ruining my fun.....

Nearly a week off

2007-01-12T17:48:00.000-06:00

The shitty malaise I was beset with earlier in the week turned into a full-fledged Flu, knocking me out of commission for a couple of days. When I returned to work, I was hit with a ton of make-up work, so I've been doubly burned-out. But my ass was also tickled with the feather of a full-time position at this company. That could be pretty cool...For now, at least.

We had a "social" at 3PM yesterday. This entailed a lot of chips, veggies/dip, cookies, and BEER. Whoa. I didn't indulge--getting over the sickness took priority--but thought that was a pretty decent thing to offer the employees. Both beer and socializing, I mean.

During the interoffice fraternization, I talking a bit to a nice tech guy who often asks me about cycling. Apparently he used to ride a lot, but moved to the 'burbs and has mostly taken up running. But the conversation was interesting, because he claimed I "inspired" him, and wanted to start riding to work at least a few times a week! Awesome. I also found out that the owner of the Bianchi in the bike area works in MY office. But due to the circuitous sprawl of the office, I've yet to meet the guy! But I imagine it's just a matter of time.

In any event, it's been great to hop back on the bike after 2 days off. The wind has been predictably punishing, yet I've been feeling infinitely better after a little spin. I rode my pre-work 18 this morning then rode to work, and feel damned AWESOME at the moment. And I was taken to lunch today--had a killer al pastor burrito--and now let's let the weekend begin.

I have a lot on my mind, having not written in quite some time. I shall probably return shortly and blather a bit more. Lots of events in the forecast...

SPENT

2007-01-07T20:03:00.000-06:00

I'm currently weaseling about in a rarely-felt condition: TOTAL FUCKING BURNOUT. I don't know if it's the stronger Winter winds, my excess baggage from Holiday gluttony, or undiagnosed Lupus, but I had a pretty awful ride today.

It began with me stopping at an alternate LBS (open on Sunday) to discuss my stuck seatpost and to see if, indeed, there was anything wrong with my rear hub. After a painfully long wait, the guy helping me seemed to arrive at the conclusion: nothing wrong with the hub, and maybe the colder weather is making things run a bit harsher.

But now I also think that the skipping I've been feeling may not be from the bottom bracket, but from the hub. I seem to recall this happening years back, and it was that the cassette body was getting worn (or so I recall....).

In any event, I rode South, and the wind was yet again of that curiously invisible nature, but pounded my resolve into shit. I turned around south of the aquarium, having reached my wind/cold threshold, and limped back home. and my right knee was also hurting a little bit. all I could think of while pedaling back home was how burned-out I was feeling. It was a real disheartening experience.

So I'm just riding to work tomorrow. No early, pre-work 18-miler. Just a simple, easy morning with a mellow commute. I just hope a day off the saddle (relatively speaking) will knit my shit back together so I can enjoy riding again.

Calling all Trekxperts

2007-01-07T12:18:00.000-06:00

While riding yesterday, I discovered that the XO-1's seat post is stuck. Krap. It hasn't been stuck all that long--I adjusted it slightly not long ago--but the mad deluges I have been caught in lately while commuting has probably resulted in sick corrosion in the seat tube. So between this malady, coupled with what looks like a rear hub repacking/greasing along with a new/tweaked bottom bracket, it's looking like my bike is going to have to do some time at the LBS. I'm not the most mechanically inclined, and I absolutely defer to the wrench-slinging might of my neighborhood bike shop.

And it appears that the Raleigh I was lusting after is spoken for. The guy selling it said someone was going to look at it, and hasn't yet emailed me saying that it's still available. Sunuvabitch. So the necessity of getting the Bridgestone overhauled pretty much leaves me with no bike. The Bianchi ALSO has a stuck seatpost, and the shop said it could potentially cost me over $150 to get it removed! Not that it's not worth it, but that's approaching monetary territory that I can't tread on just now. So, I've been looking for an interim, fun bike that'll get me to work and allow me to get some miles in also. here is a recent Craigslist posting:

I tried doing a little research on this model, and all I could really come up with is that the current 1000 incarnation is an entry-level road bike. That'd be fine with me. But I can't tell if this is steel or not, and the guy I've been emailing doesn't really parle la bicyclette, so I've been having to glean little bits and pieces here and there. But at the same time, he's asking 100 bucks, so it seems like a pretty good deal nonetheless. And he's telling me it's in almost showroom condition. I don't know what that's like!

If anybody has ANY idea of what these Treks were all about, please let me know. I'd be inclined to buy it outright, but the seller lives in the Northwest Suburbs, access to which is nightmarish. So before I head out into those badlands, I'd love to be armed with a little more knowledge about this tempting Trek 1000.

Tempted by a British beauty

2007-01-05T19:33:00.000-06:00

Some guy on the Chicago Craigslist keeps posting this bike. It's fallen in price over the months, but the inital asking price wasn't even all that unreasonable. And every time he reposts, I am so Goddamned tempted to snatch it up. He we go:

And in the worst-case scenario, I'd wager the saddle alone would be worth the asking price. And truly, I'd love to spare the Bridgestone the rigors of typical day-to-day commuting. It's starting to give me those "love me, daddy" squeaks and moans that break my heart.

So if anyone has any knowledge of these old Raleigh 3-speeds, please chime in and gimme at LEAST 2-cents' worth. It'd be mighty appreciated.

A Devil's quandary

2007-01-04T21:01:00.000-06:00

What would you choose? A fierce, howling headwind sandblasting your features into almost-nothingness on the way to work, or a torrential downpour during rush hour on the way back? I experienced both of these today, and my morale during both commuting legs was uncharacteristically ground into nuthin'.

Because I had to fight so hard through the morning headwinds--channeled directly at me from the South and focused that much more sharply by all the tall buildings around--I was sweating like a Neanderthal when I got to work. And I didn't stop perspiring for about 20 minutes after I sat down and got to "work." But I also figured that the cruel winds would be at my back after work. Suuuure.

And it stands to reason that if there's even an INKLING of rain in the forecast, I WILL get stuck in it during rush hour.

At least the winds were relatively advantageous after work. But racing along in heavy rain/wet conditions at 5PM doesn't feel terribly safe to me. So I limped homewards, while my only pair of decent work pants got mercilessly spackled by road grit. And then band practice got cancelled (I was going to go meet some Midnight Bikers after practice, too!), so I decided to lame out, stay at home/stay dry, and wash my foul-assed slacks. Hot Stuff!!!

It's true: You CAN still rock in America.

These things I want

2007-01-03T18:50:00.000-06:00

I am palpitating a bit, partially due to the sleepcrushing coffee I made almost 13 hours ago, but also due to this quick blurb I just caught on my homepage:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070103/en_nm/police_dc_1

Man, I believe if ANY band could get together and still kick ass, it'd be the Police. I was too much of a heavy metal/punk rock knucklehead to truly appreciate them in their prime; however, I caught them on MTV during (I think) LiveAid, and Stewart Copeland knocked me on my ass! He also had "Fuck Off and Die" (again, hazy recollection) on his toms and MTV couldn't pull it together to edit that out! And not to mention, he was playing his ass off! I was smitten...in a hero-worship, nascent musician kinda way!

I have been a guitar player since I was 15, but have spent the last 7 years playing drums in bands, largely inspired by the Godhead that is Stewart Copeland. And the Police's music allowed me to appreciate music beyond slamdancing, headbanging, heartpounding mania (not that I don't STILL love that); never, when I was 14, think I'd ever espouse an appreciation for the Smiths and EVEN Morrisey! That was hard....

But, since I'm expressing wishes for the nigh-unnatainable, I will attempt to join this band when I reach my fighting weight, sometime around the third week in March:

And having accomplished said goals, it'll be all the easier for me to score the woman of my dreams:

So's we can have the most gorgeous offspring:

And once I acquire the Uncle Scrooge-esque Money Bins that only hot-action, b@d@$$ rock and roll can deliver, I can drive my ever-widening ass and brood in the dream machine:

God bless us, everyone.

Last Ride of 2006

2006-12-31T13:56:00.000-06:00

It was with a fair amount of poignancy coupled with a wee dram of trepidation when I hit the road for the last 2-wheeled reverie of 2006. I changed a brake pad this morning (I couldn't get one off--it's been on for so long and I'm afraid it's freaking fused!), so I was kinda nervous about heading into the wet, drabby outdoors half-cocked.

As soon as I got to the Lake, I could tell that it was gonna be a Helluva fight heading South. The wind was of a curious nature: seemingly invisible, no real palpable indication of the gusts, but still a crushing, unrelenting force that stole my morale after about 10 miles of heading into it. Between the headwind and being unmercifully spackled by trail-grit, I decided to turn around right by Soldier Field. From the looks of the crowd, the Bears must've been playing. I know nothing about sports, though, so I could be fulla shit. However, I am kind of amped about the trajectory of both the Bears and the Saints for playoff time. This now ends SportsTalk.

I knew the winds were brutal when I could hammer away in my 13 tooth cog almost effortlessly. Spooky. In fact, I'm not certain if I've ever ridden on the flats that quickly on the XO-1. I think the people heading the opposite direction were getting kicks out of seeing my shit-eating grin while I zoomed by at about 30 mph (estimate).

So, if my bike looked like it had leprosy before, it looks like Nature herself is trying to reclaim it today. After 1.5 hours of riding in these nasty-assed conditions, the bike is completely en-gritted. There's more brown filth than pearl tusk poking through. Gross. And I hate to say it, but the bike was already pretty filthy after a ride I took last week (before my vacation), so today just added to the unfortunate mix. I TRY to be fastidious and stay on top of cleaning/maintenance, but while in the throes of the Holidays, I've been profoundly lazy.

Projections for 2007? Well, I keep hearing that Winter is going to continue to be mild, so I plan on staying outdoors and riding. Retiring the trainer is sounding good. I also see myself getting back into fighting shape and finally realizing my dream of pulling a boat with my teeth as I cross the English Channel. Pray for me.

Some random smatterings

2006-12-29T17:44:00.000-06:00

Since I wallowed in mad excess over the last week, I felt I really needed to do some two-wheeled penance...as well as break in the new Winter Biking Duds. I rode a brisk 18-miler before work yesterday morning; after showering, I hopped back on and rode the 3 miles to work. The new clothes are seeming to work really well. I did the same routine this morning, and get this: now I AM STARVING (go figger)! I didn't have any lunch at work, and I have nothing to speak of in the house; unfortunately, often the most expedient remedy for this scenario is to choose crap delivery food. We shall see...

Also, over the holiday, I took "Yes, I Can"--Sammy Davis Jr.'s autobiography--with me on the plane so I could pass the time with some easy readin'. Well, it turns out that I'm totally gripped by this read, and in the past I coulda given a fiddler's fart about the man. It's been a pretty engrossing yarn. Also, I was given what looks to be 2 pretty interesting books for Christmas: "The Kite Runner" (an personal account of Russian invasion-era Afghanistan) and "Tesla: Man Out of Time" (needs no explanation). Now that I have been cable-free for well over a year and a half, one of my chief pleasures is to crawl into bed and groove on a great book. These two look like they won't disappoint.

And lastly, I hit the wall at work today. I am working in an environment that I have absolutely NO expertise in, and I can't help but wonder if I somehow managed to sell my new employers a fake bill of goods. This is that part of me that considers my whole "Graphic/Web Designer" a sham. But I imagine anyone can have doubts re: their vocation from time to time. But anyway, I was working on what ostensibly was a real simple page update; I did a few manuevers, and then: SMACK!!!! The page wouldn't come up! I saw it locally (on my machine) and everything looked fine, but then when I tried to see it in a browser, I got jack. Rather than sit and ponder the imponderable, I rode home in the lovely Friday evening traffic.

But I did manage to change my AAA batteries in my headlight last night!

Devilishly gluttonous escapades in the Big Easy

2006-12-28T19:44:00.000-06:00

I got back last night, but I was remarkably hungover. Not from booze, mind you, but from simply ingesting TOO MUCH FOOD. Since Friday evening (December 22), I have been on an unholy warpath that has included eating a savage amount of goodness every day since.

It began when my mom picked me up Friday evening; she had the brilliant idea of grabbing Hillbilly BBQ since Armstrong Airport is so close. It didn't disappoint. It was a perfectly rendered plate of uber-smoky brisket, pulled pork, baked beans, and a corn salad. I used to hit this place at least once a week when I worked in the area. Afterward I went to mom's house, basked in familial adoration for a few, then hit the town with my friend--ultimately ending with my crashing at his place. Leading to the next morning's satisfying repast....

With the influx of Hispanic workers in New Orleans, relentlessly working on post-Katrina rebuiding, there has been a mini-boom of real Mexican restaurants. Truly, there never had been any authentic Mexican joints until now. Thanks to this New Orleans food (and more!) message board, I had heard that a decent taqueria had opened not far from my mom's place. Todd decided that we should hit there for lunch and he could drop me off at my mom's afterwards. Well, the place was definitely good, but I have had far better in Chicago. I had a shrimp burrito, and I'll be dipped in shit if I caught an iota of shrimp in there! At the same time, it made me feel so good that REAL Mexican food is arriving in New Orleans. And I can never gauge a restaurant accurately when it's only been opened for a handful of weeks.

My mom threw an open house party shindig later that (Saturday) evening. She cooked a shitload of chili and threw together a load of other tasty accoutrements that pleased the masses. However, I was still full from the Taqeria expedition, so I opted to drink wine and beer rather than gorge myself further. Good plan. ;) After my friends and I went out that night, I AGAIN stayed at Todd's house. And this lead to yet another food-related casualty...

Christmas Eve morning, Todd made some grits, amped up a bit by Zatarain's Crab Boil, and then he put some shrimp in the mix. He also made some beautiful omelettes. All this was wonderfully complemented with some Cool Brew iced coffee with some soy milk. This tied me over until we had to go BACK to the airport to drop some friends off...

Todd and his fiance decided we needed to hit the (SOME TYPICAL ASIAN BUFFET NAME) where they offer an all-you-can-eat sushi/Chinese/king crab claw/every morsel under the sun onslaught. I'm not much for buffets, but I gotta admit: some of the sushi WAS really good. The sashimi was slight and hardly worth considering, but the roll of the day and the baked mussels both kicked a little ass. All of this, coupled with a glass of wine and 2 Abita Restoration Ales at Mom's made for a killer deep sleep.

Well, the next day was Christmas, and after noshing on a bit of leftover party junk food and opening presents (I got some pretty cool cold-weather gear, but Santa didn't hear my plea for a Technomic stem or a Brooks saddle), we headed to the North Shore to reconnoiter with the portion of the family who could make it down South for the holidays.

On to the food: My grandmother made fried turkey, a pork loin roast, mashed potatoes, dirty rice, scored some Cajun Country brown n' serve rolls...and provided more that I am definitely forgetting. On top of that, she also brought some gloriously badass boudin for me from Cajun country. Goddamn, was that awesome! Also, before I ate Christmas lunch, I tried a bit of my aunt's gumbo. She faked the roux by using a jar of instaRoux, but having not had any in such a while, it was satisfying. I made a plate of leftovers that I brought over to Todd's place where he was hosting a get-together for folks who had nowhere else to go. My 2 plates of glory were quite a smash.

And get this: BETWEEN family lunch and Todd's party, I was obligated to go to yet another dinner! But I BARELY ate a thing and just drank some Pinot Noir.

Needless to say, I crashed at Todd's again Christmas night. The next day, he and I headed out a little before noon; I wanted to buy him lunch for his and his fiancee's hospitality, but every place I was thinking of (Casamento's, Domilese's) was closed for the Holidays!!! Guy's Po-Boys wait was waaay too long, too. He ended up dropping me off at mom's sans yet another fattening bomb of satisfaction. Mom and I were heading to her place in the Bywater so I could gather the sorely-neglected husk of my MB-3....because her neighbor wanted to buy it!! On the way back from the Bywater, we stopped at Deanie's on Annunciation, where I had an oyster po-boy and she had what appeared to be a pretty uninspired Chef Salad. But I paid for it all and felt like a kinda good son.

We cleaned the bike together, using her sweet power sander with fine sandpaper to remove the accumulated surface rust, and double-teaming the requisite grit and funk with sponges and soapy water; then the neighbor ambled over and took the baby from me! At least it's going to someone who'll ride it and appreciate it.

Afterwards, I got dropped off at the A&P, bought a good bottle of wine for Todd and his fiance, met up with Todd and his dog outside, and we eventually made our way over to our Rock Star friend's place. We sat around around drinking and shooting the shit until we collectively decided we needed some unapologetically unwholesome bar food. We ended up at Le Bon Temps where we quickly scarfed down some gravy-laden cheese fries.

I was feeling like wet, warm garbage the next day when I had to fly back to Chicago.

All this brings it around to now--where I'm so strung out by excess that I am thinking about taking a bath in iceberg lettuce! However, I wouldn't have changed a thing during my visit. Except that I would demand a rideable bike in order to become Mommy-free for transportation!

...the HELL did time go?

2006-12-20T18:17:00.000-06:00

New job...new routine...getting adjusted to a little different of scheme. The gig isn't too bad, though. Everyone's been cool, the scene's not as "cubey" as most of these unholy office spaces are, and there's even bike parking INSIDE, downstairs (today I parked next to a too-new Bianchi Eros and a fendered Cruiser). The DOWNSIDE, however--and this may sound like an odd bitch--is that the office is too close, and I miss the old 10 mile ride to Downtown! I'm sure I'll learn to adjust, though, and manage to fit a lengthy ride before work and the slight commute into a proper morning regimen.

Also, I've been gearing up to head to New Orleans on Friday for the holidays. I've been manically trying to find/set up "sitters" for my cats, as well as do loads of laundry so I'm not completely resplendent in scumbag gear when I arrive home. Between these tasks, coupled with band practice and doing "Special Christmas Time" with my friends, I've had precious little chance to write. When I used to have the 10-mile each way ride, I could think about topics, mull over my lot, and have ample time in which to ruminate. This week has felt like I've been in fast-forward.

One thing I'm really excited about, other than a five-day orgy of eating New Orleans-style, is getting my bikes in order down there. I have the MB-3 and an IF Deluxe that I need to do something with. I want to send one to Chicago to build up for Winter; however, I kinda feel I'd prefer a totally expendable bike for Winter/commuting so I'm not totally obsessing over the paint job and the like. The XO-1 (current bike) already looks like it has leprosy, so it may be too late for that buddy. :( At the same time. the IF is also pretty weathered, and the MB-3 is very RIDDEN, so who knows how the winds may blow.

I also want to take a lot of pictures when I'm there and totally dick it up and play tourist. That's something I never took a shitload of advantage of in all the years I lived there. I understand the streetcar is finally running on an amended route!

Stellar and uneventful weekend

2006-12-17T16:22:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Weather.Com frightened the bejeezus out of me: it claimed the city was under seige by 30+ mph winds. At the same time, the outside temperature was almost in the mid-50's again, and I was gonna be damned if a lil' breeze was gonna keep me down.

I am LOVING this mild winter (however, the zeal is pretty much tempered by the fact that this has been one of the warmest years on record, and I am certain that this unseasonable warmth is part and parcel of climactic crisis) and have chosen to get out on the bike, to some degree, every day that it's nice out. It was pretty apparent I overdressed yesterday, with persipiration a-flyin' after about 3 miles. But the battering ram forces of the Southern winds weren't helping either! Yet, perhaps because the wind was more head-on (as opposed to a constant crosswind), I found them pretty bearable! And maybe, by taking Friday off the bike (except for a few errands), this let my legs knit and heal up a bit. In any event, yesterday's ride was AMAZING. And when it came to head North, the tailwind got me from Navy Pier to my door (approximately 10 miles) in a little over 20 minutes!

However, I was still trying to keep up my Cyclist Acknowledgement Campaign (CAC) yesterday. I got a wee smattering of reciprocation, but too many others basically rolled their eyes when I gleefully extended a "howarya?" And some dude on a recumbent TOTALLY brushed me off when I hailed him with a friendly salutation. I'm not proud of this, but I ended up flipping him off (behind his back...cowardly...). Yeah, I was pissed. Too much of the Punk Rock still flittering inside, I guess.

But the rest of Saturday was really blissfully uneventful. I ordered some kickass Chinese food and ended up finding tons of Husker Du live shows on YouTube. Between stuffing face and singing along to "I Apologize", I managed to catch a little bit of Saturday Night Live. Christ. Have they just stopped TRYING?

I was looking to have a mellow evening so I could get up in time to do the Tour de Temples, but was strangely low-ebb tired when I got at up this morning, and I ended up blowing the ride off. Sucks too--I have really been meaning to get more involved in the cycling scene ("scene" = more than just me) in Chicago and meet more bikie folks (the Brit and I have vastly different schedules now and rarely get chances to ride together)--so needless to say, I was pretty disappointed in myself.

So, I also had to talk myself in to rding at all today. But--the CLINCHER, actually--was that, again, it was in the '50's AND there was the rare, nigh-eerie condition of NO WIND!!!!! Yet, I was burned out riding the Lakefront, so I opted to head over to the North Branch Trail. Having not seen it since before it got cold, I was really curious to see what condition the trail would be in. Well, it was a GREAT ride. I would've kicked my own ass if I had passed up riding today. All the foliage was stripped away along the trail, making the jaunt almost an entirely new experience. And having no wind was just uncanny. When I stopped to turn around, it was rather bizarre to really hear nothing--no wind, no rustling of leaves--making every far off sound fairly audible. When I had to let a quick fart loose, I couldn't help but wonder if a cyclist a half mile away might hear it!

And I think all the rice I had during my Chinese blowout last night amply fueled my 2-wheeled freakout.

So all in all, I got in 35 miles and had a phenomenal day. Although I did miss an opportunity to go to some German festival kinda gizmo Downtown, as well as seeing the Drake Hotel's Christmas tree. My friend called me about 15 minutes after I had left to go riding; he just figured I was still on the Tour de Temples ride (I told him I was doing it) and he and his wife left for the fest fun. Such is life. I still think I got the better deal.

Not much today

2006-12-15T16:49:00.000-06:00

There wasn't a lot going on today. Initially, I figured I was going to ride to my ex-employer's office to pick up a paycheck. However, I didn't hear back from anyone there regarding my coming in, so I was kind of in a holding pattern/limbo for the duration of the day.

I ended up just doing a little working out (HATE doing it, but I desperately want to lose the weight gained after I quit smoking), and then rode over to the grocery store to indulge in my povery diet. I really was hankering for a burrito, but even $4.50 was too rich for my blood; I went for an On-Cor enchilda platter (2 bucks), fired it up in the oven then served it slathered with a good amount of this badass Mexican habanero sauce. It STILL sucked.

Finally I was able to get in touch with ex-work, and they're mailing the check. I should get it tomorrow, or maybe Monday. I hope earlier than later, because I want to kinda indulge myself in this last weekend of joblessness. Or at the very least, get a burrito.

Days of thunder (just without all the thunder and a Helluva lot more wind)

2006-12-14T16:56:00.000-06:00

I almost talked myself out of riding today. It was gloomy and overcast for the bulk of the day, and these conditions often rob me of any motivation and inspiration. Then, after a quick light shower, the sky opened up and I read that it was 54 degrees outside! I thought I'd be a real asshole if I passed up a ride.

I was in a pretty good mood, despite my head leaking phlegm and the mean-assed WSW winds. An almost mid-50's day in Chicago during December is almost unheard of, I wager. I had a goofy grin on my face and was met with a few happy looks by the folks traveling in the other direction. South of the aquarium, I saw a young woman changing a flat on her Eddy Mercyx; I asked if she needed a hand and told me all was well. Damn, I'm gallant.

I rode to the large-ish overpass that's around 45th Street. I nodded a friendly acknowledgement to a pack of "serious" cyclists as I sat on the overpass stretching. Not an IOTA of reciprocation in my greetings. Douchebags. Then a nice guy rode by and asked ME if I needed any asistance. That was cool, and inspired me to keep up the "hail fellow, well met" approach to others as I rode on.

When I was blowing my nose and adjusting my seatpost height at Ohio Beach, another pack of "Serious" riders went by. I gave the aforementioned "hello nod" to them. Anything? Fuck no. They weren't really racing--it appeared from the pannier bulk and backpacks that they were leaving work--but were certainly keeping up a good clip. Spying their taillights from a half-mile away, these boys became my quarry.

After about 2 miles I was on their tail and definitely didn't feel like I was pushing it too hard. I contemplated passing, didn't want to get embroiled in some bruised ego cat and mouse horseshit, but then decided WHAT THE HELL. One guy was in the oncoming traffic lane, and I was behind him yipping "on your left!" After the second time, he said something to me (couldn't make it out) and I rode on by. I succumbed to crazy head-phlegm nastiness several miles later, and then they ended up passing me. I extended a verbal "howarya doin'?" and, of course, was met with JACK SHIT. I stuck behind them, staying several bike lengths back (didn't want to be accused of sucking their precious wind) and matched pace until the end of the trail.

Grr. I don't know why these attitudes get me so torqued up, but they do.

Feeding frenzy

2006-12-13T20:29:00.000-06:00

After today's nice long 35+ mile long ride, I got home and was ultimately consumed by a mad hunger. I had NOTHING. I jetted over to the Greek joint by me ("Les Arabes sur le pont", sez the Brit--never mind the religious/ethnic inaccuracy) and ordered the feared COMBO TO GO--a platter served with lamb, gyro meat, fries, onions (along with other mediterranean relish) and a platter-rendered slab of pita bread. Following a copious application of Sambal Oelek over the goods, I dug into this sumbitch.

Next thing I knew, I was staring at at an almost-empty container. Goddamn! It's next to never that I can take down this entire plate. I guess I really WAS hungry!

I was really hoping that I'd have a few lamb medallions to snack on tomorrow, though. This was to be the last blast of decadence before I receive my next job's paycheck.

This may not resonate with many others, but when you are unemployed, is it weird to think every day feels like Saturday????????

The dwindling light of joblessness

2006-12-13T18:32:00.000-06:00

I am no "go-getter." I have yet to "take the bull by the horns." I visualize "up and at'em' as "up & atom." Needless to say, I can be quite a load. So it comes as a major surprise to me that....

I GOT A NEW JOB.

The interview went well, and I actually did some research re: the company and managed to craft some brilliantly thought-out followup questions. And it also turns out that the Senior Web Designer I will be working in tandem with also played in bands; but after marrying her guitarist and having a son, she gave the Rock up for the quizzical allure of Technology. It takes all kinds.

In any event, it seems like a cool place. And I saw quite a few bikes parked in front of the enormoplex (not as bad as it sounds) that comprises Ravenswood's "Industrial District", and that was heartening. Yet, I want to see if I can bring my bike inside. I get fidgety and tweaky if I can't see tangible proof of my bike's existence.

If there is any down side, it's that the new gig isn't far enough away!! 3 miles each way seems like child's play at this point. I'm gonna have to get up and get some miles in even BEFORE I make my ride to work!

So I begin life anew come Monday. Until then, I will be whittling the time away, revelling in the unseasonably badass warmth that has miraculously ensconsed Chicago, grabbing miles on the old bike, and attempting to perfect my unholy hunt n' peck typing method.

And figuring out a way to tell my landlord why my December check bounced. :( Why do banks insist on holding on to a check for so long.....?

P.S. When do you know when your rear hub is wonky? Even though it's only been a few weeks of riding in the icy slurry, I am wondering if my rear hub may have taken a few blows. It has been assailed by the icy BS for several weeks. It's EASILY been years since it's been serviced, so I'm thinking it may be time to take the sucker apart. It's an older 8-speed Ringle (SupaBubbaDubbaHubba or some shit)hub--so if anyone has any tips on how to smooth this bugger out, it'd be wondrously appreciated.

Cherish every mile outside

2006-12-11T17:47:00.000-06:00

Last year I wimped out and bought a Minoura Mag trainer off of eBay so I could continue pedaling to some degree. I completely had to psyche myself into doing so--riding inside sucks and is profoundly BORING. I can't believe that the Winter has thus far been mild enough to keep riding outside. At the same time, I recall that the last time I lived in the cold it took me a year for my body to get shocked into frigid acclimation. So maybe I am just a wee bit tougher than I was last year. I recall that when it dipped into the mid to lower '40s (RARE occurrence) in New Orleans, it would pain me to no end and I'd feel barely up to riding through such awful weather. Nowadays it feels positively sultry!

For the last 7 or so years, I have been riding around 5-7000 miles a year. I used to commemorate every 1000th mile by stopping and kissing the ground where I was riding. But that's when I was slavishly devoted to my cylocomputer. Last year--my first Winter in ages--bit heavily into the number. Now, however, I am so singlemindedly Hellbent on riding through the cold and pretty much insist that I arrive at a similar mileage. I get so inspired and galvanized when I read others' blogs, gleaning such gory, wondrous details of Winter riding. Again, I have to thank all y'all out there that inspire me to keep my fat ass hot, tight & outtasight.

And due to my Alien-like caustic sweat, I can't afford to keep riding inside. I have this patch in my computer room's floor that look like it was scratched away by some inappropriate jungle animal.

Hooky while unemployed

2006-12-11T15:25:00.000-06:00

Okay. I don't have the BEST work ethic...especially when it comes to dealing with industries And pursuits I am not overly passionate about. This whole Web/Graphic design thing I managed to parlay a career into was of peripheral interest to me in the mid-'90's. However, it turned out to pay pretty well, and since I got used to eating and other luxuries, I thought I would stick with it. The thing is, if it's nice out and I feel the itch, I will unapologetically play hooky from a gig so I can get some sweet miles and outdoor fun in. And being in Illinois, it's a moral imperative that I take great advantage of gorgeous Winter days.

I got to get some miles in over the weekend. First was a meetup with the Brit and then I squeezed in 30 miles yesterday. All at a relaxed, ruminative pace. Today I woke up at 4 AM (probably due to latent stress from the morning's interview) and was in a stupor for most of the day, completely on the fence on whether or not to ride today. It was nice initially, but over the course of my indecision, outside took a nasty turn. It became overcast, and there were several sprinkle smatterings. The Brit was out down the trail, so I thought I'd meet up with him. But he wasn't digging the outdoors either, so I ended up spying him about a mile North of Navy Pier. We just turned around and grooved on the strong (yet eerily invisible) tailwind.

POSTSCRIPT: My beautiful steel bike is sending me angry thoughts today; it's covered by grit, winter road-spackle and a general patina of neglect. :( If there's any failing in my cycling world, it's my poor bike cleaning regimen. And my caustic sweat threatens the surface of every bike I own. They all share similar surface rust lesions. I have seriously considered getting an Aluminum-framed bike for the winter. I was going to ship a mountain bike up here during Christmas, but then I considered my general lack of cleaning/maintenance, and realized I could have a sad, rusty husk come next April.

A groovy, unemployed Saturday

2006-12-09T19:33:00.000-06:00

I had to pass on an invite to a downtown, barhopping freakout last night. With my newfound unemployment came a almost unheard-of reckoning of money. I live mad simply, but with no concrete supply of funds in the forecast, I had to pass on the fun. I left Phil's house (he's an old New Orleans friend and my first married acquaintance), went home and downloaded King Kong on bittorrent, and ended up eating half an On-Cor enchilada platter that I bought for the dirt cheap price of 2 bucks at Jewel. I felt like a real deviant scumbag motherfucker.

At least the weather was killer when I woke up. Out of my bedroom window I spied copious sunshine, and this fueled my morning activities. The Brit had called me before I woke up, saying that he was getting his "new and improved" bike out of the shop, and wanted to get some miles in today. He had been off the bike for about 5 weeks now, and was getting itchy! I gulped down 4 cups of my atom-splitting coffee in record time, took care of some peripheral bidness, then suited up and hit the road. The Brit was hanging at Navy Pier, and my goal was to get there before he split.

The route was a bit slower than usual. The wind was so Goddamned brutal; it was screaming from a direction that never relented while I headed Southward, unless I rode along side a bigass high-rise. Along with the gusts, the last stretch of the Lakefront Path was iced over by Lake Michigan's waters, making the trek pretty impassable. I had to ride through a stretch of downtown in order to doubleback to the Lakefront and ultimately Navy Pier. When I got to NP, I called the Brit, and he had just left! He was actually right North of the bend where I jumped off to bike through the city.

We were going to attempt a Tour de Pubs, but just opted to stop at Johhny O'Hagan's for a couple of pints. Soccer (or football in BritSpeak) was playing, the Thompson Twins were..err...ROCKING...and the Brit was blissed. After a couple, we hopped back to the Lake (a la Guided By Voices) and headed home.

Phil and his wife wanted to go to dinner with us tonight--a curious challenge was to find kickass food starting at $14 an entree--but I again had to decline. I have more of that delectible On-Cor gustatory delight waiting for me in the fridge. I hear these foods just get better with age. Like dementia.

The long and short of this spiel is: BEING BROKE SUCKS.

Yet, oddly enough, despite what's often shoved down one's throat, it's possible to be happy and upbeat thru times of zero-cash.

And what's perhaps the best thing: the Bridgestone still runs, my legs can still do circles, and my cats find food in the dishes daily. I'm easy to keep happy. ;)

That'll teach me to blog at work

2006-12-07T17:46:00.000-06:00

I may not be chronicling any commuting adventures for a while--I got laid off today!!! I was given the excuse that one of our main clients pulled out, the one whom I was ostensibly hired to deal with, so my services were no longer needed after today. In the freelance world, I am used to being given ample heads-up before a gig ends; this abrupt termination smacks of horseshit. Just in time for the holidays, no less. I was feeling some pretty palpable creep-vibes around there, though, so I have to figure the fit wasn't really there. The guy who hired me is super-cool, affable, and implored me to stay in touch--maybe to perform clandestine, outlaw design duties, flying well under the radar of "the Man."

Such is life. The only reason I dug this job was that it was a pretty low-impact, mindless, sometimes-engaging gig that I could easily ride to. Now the bar has been raised, and I can find myself being pissed if I can't find a way to wedge in a ride to work. Until I get a new regular gig, I imagine I'll be pressing nose to grindstone in order to locate work, while interspersing this job hunt with some nice, mellow outdoor rides. I am really hoping to retire the indoor trainer!

Since it was more-than-implied I should gather all my work shit (I left shirts, pants, iPod, shoes and other assorted items at the office so I didn't have to carry them all each day), I had to wedge in all these items into my wee lil' bag. I ended up wearing a longsleeve cotton shirt over two existing layers, and this BARELY freed up enough room in the bag. Since this sack was strained to the limit, the thing fit around me so awkwardly that it made my back and neck really start hurting after a while. It felt like glorious emancipation when I finally got home and took that swollen bastard off.

Miles today: 17
Wind: 20+ from the NW
Temp: 14 degrees (at least when I was out innit)

Good sense be damned

2006-12-07T11:14:00.000-06:00

I figured that I was going to take today off from riding due to the strong winds and below zero (with wind chill) temperatures. Then I started thinking of the alternatives--walking to the train, waiting outside for an interminable amount of time for the train, walking from the train several blocks to work--and figured I'd steel myself against the adversarial conditions and just go for the bike ride. Yeah, it was chilly, and the Lake was turbulent, resembling a mighty sea, waves crashing over the shore, rendering certain stretches of the path to impassable, glass-like slipperiness.

I am writing this on the sly at work. I'm gonna wrap it up because my loud, telltale keystroking may arouse suspicion. I'll post more when I arrive home tonight.

OK..I admit it...the cold took its toll

2006-12-06T21:14:00.000-06:00

I had a pretty uneventful ride to work this morning--temperatures were relatively mild (mid-30's), and the wind was more favorable than not--but I DID manage to get that weird syndrome with my left hand index finger. It might go numb, or begin to ache terribly before doing so; needless to say, I start to freak a little. But I can manage shake it off and have some sensation return before I start entertaining thoughts of amputation. The long and short of it is: my gloves BLOW. They're Polarpaws of unknown (so probably dubious) origin, and their reviews I have spied online have been pretty unfavorable. Sigh.

This evening, however, the "favorable winds" of the morn had become a blustery gale and had picked up considerably, packing colder temperatures along with its scalpel-gusts. I took Clark home, avoiding nature's full fury along the Lake. I still managed to get totally beset by cold and wind, my head becoming a phlegm fountain (how can I MAKE so much??), ultimately limping my pathetic butt back home, proverbial tail between my proverbial legs. A little Chinese food leftover palliative helped thaw and warm them cockles, though. ;)

I think I am taking tomorrow off from riding, though. It appears winds are supposed to be even stronger and the temperatures are going to be in the mid-teens (the high). If I become more properly armed with cold weather gear then I shouldn't have any issues riding in that kind of weather. But even though I have had spells of minor discomfort, I am loving the Hell out of riding in the Winter.

Winter Commute #1

2006-12-05T17:49:00.000-06:00

The temperature was a brisk 15 degrees when I had to cut or run this morning--admittedly, my Sunday cold weather bikexperience had left me a bit trepidatious about riding--but the lighter winds convinced me to get out there and pedal my fat ass to work.

Some sage Blogger once stated "There's no bad weather for riding, just bad gear." Well, the last couple of days' riding has amply demonstrated that I need to get with the program. Actually, what I have isn't too bad, but the omniwindage that dominates Chicago's streets and paths just cleaves through my paltry defenses, leaving me with not much above a 40 minute threshold. Luckliy, 40-45 minutes is also coincidentally the length of my commute. So if I just had decent windbreaking gear for my legs and feet, I could keep on keepin' on. My Southern relatives are taking pity on me and will probably donate some goods for the cause come Christmas. But I need them NOW!! TOMORROW! YESTERDAY!!!!

I didn't feel like facing the ice patches and salty slurry that litter the Lakefront Path during the Winter. These conditions threaten my feeble attempts at stability, especially when I can't see 'em coming. So, with it being about dark, I decided I wasn't confident enough tackling the trail half-witted and nearly blind(And I'm still riding on skinny tires). I took Wells to Clark, and was crazy-blessed with a tailwind that thoroughly billowed my sails and got me home in 40 minutes.

I also saw several other cyclists out there, both in the morning and in the afternoon, which was totally heartening to see. I think this so-called "cycling" business is so crazy...it might just work!

My first Winter Ride

2006-12-03T15:31:00.000-06:00

I have chomping at the bit to do a below freezing ride. I totally lucked into some decent cold weather gear and I decided to put it to the test today. I wore my Blackbottom tights, a long-sleeve wicking base layer--on top of which was a cotton/long john type heavy shirt--as well as a windbreaking vest. I had 2 types of socks-- Cannondale so-called "thermals" as well as normal cotton socks. I have some Fox Polarpaws and threw those on as well. I somehow have a nifty wicking balaclava that fits over my enormous melonhead, too.

It was a wee bit chilly when I finally navigated my out of my ice-strewn alley, but found myself feeling pretty comfortable by the time I made it to the Lakefront Trail.

I didn't ride at all outside last Winter; I opted to give my new trainer a workout rather than gird myself for chilly riding. So I have never experienced riding over salty, slushy, icy roads on skinny Pasela Tourguards. Once I mellowed out and realized that the joy of being outside on a bike during Winter was better than just sucking up to velocity, then things went smoothly. It was amazing riding through gorgeous snowscapes and thinking how incongruous it was that I was wearing shorts just last week!

Luckily, I brought two pairs of gloves (the other ones are these badass heavy duty rock-climbing gloves) because after 30 minutes of riding, my left index finger felt like it was succumbing to frostbite. I shook it out a bit and threw another glove on my left hand. It was definitely awkward, but the finger, along with the rest of the hand, began warming up immediately. Then I decided to head back, because I figured I was approaching my cold weather threshold.

The wind was obnoxious and slamming from the West, an annoying "omnidirectional headwind" that clawed its way into any opening in my clothes' defenses. This was the chief agent of pain throughout the ride. I decided that I can definitely handle the cold, but in order to continue riding with wind of this nature, I still need to up the ante in my cold weather gear. As well as adding bigger, wider tires!! I definitely think I am going to have a bike shipped from New Orleans so I can have a dedicated Winter steed.

But the neatest thing of all was that the perspiration (that I didn't even feel!) from my head was wicked to the balaclava's surface and became this enormous block of ice by the time I got home! Wow. I was definitely in pain when I arrived home, and the prssing urge to pee that I had been suppressing for half an hour certainly didn't help. In any event, I wasn't deterred by the Wintery conditions and now vow to keep on' ridin' on throughout the season. See y'all out there!!

And the games begin

2006-11-29T18:36:00.000-06:00

Today was poised to become a reprise of the worst ride ever, but the rain was ultimately just a minor annoyance, with pedestrians providing the majority of my woes! How can a city of this size have so many people who are so painfully oblivious to their surroundings?? Anyway, I switched back before leaving Downtown to run by Kozy's before heading back North in order to score a new rear fender, but due to the nature of my skinned bank account, I have to hold off on "frivolous" purchases until my next paycheck (which will hopefully come tomorrow). My backside is still spackled with funky grit.

So, with about three miles left of my post-work ride, the wind did a brutal 180 degree fuckaround (the dreaded tailwind to headwind smackdown), the temperature dropped substantially, and I just had to limp sorely home. Part of me was saying "Welcome to the Midwest" and another was chiming in with some pretty amazingly inappropriate comments.

I checked the weather to substantiate my bitching when I got home, and it appeared I was correct. And the new wrench got thrown into the works: the threat of a "Wintery Mix" come tomorrow. Now, I don't fear the cold, but the idea of making my way through a potentially icy slush on 26"x 1.25 tires freaks me the hell out. But here's the map that's causing me so much consternation:

Sigh. My 'morrow's commuting plans are in Limbo at the moment. I may brave it, just to gimme a welcome introduction to cold-weather riding. But I think my inherited balaclava has cat hair and funk all over it. Can WooLite pull off a miracle?

The most wonderful ass-kicking!

2006-11-22T18:00:00.000-06:00

I got an unexpected day off and and was hell-bent on doing way more than my commuter miles on an oddly sunny, mid-50's November Chicago day. Yet once again, the lake wind--Jim eloquently elucidated the principles--handed me a painful smackdown on the way down south. So I screwed up my courage and became determined to keep riding 'gainst the wind until my nose and surrounding face became too chafed from noseblowin'. I also wanted to have a lot of room to stretch out and enjoy the tailwind home!

However, due to the circuitous, winding nature of the Chicago Lakefront Trail, one often gets a stunning, slowing wind regardless of what direction the rider is going. But the tailwind was MASSIVE at the point of the trail that starts at Ohio Beach(?) and I was able to slip into a rarely-used tiny rear cog. I felt good zipping along at a mad pace, and then I heard someone tailing me. The next thing I knew, I was being passed by a friendly rider; I extended a "How ya doin'" and he responded more than cordially! Awesome. But then I also noticed he was (probably) a commuter, heading home on a FOLDING BIKE!!! How kickass is that? This uber-affable power station just zoomed by me and extended the gap in no time. Wow.

I'm not really that competitive a person, and think I fit into a nice niche of "brisk tourist." When someone zooms by me like that and is so friendly, it actually makes my freaking day. I look forward to seeing a lot of these same friendly faces as I entrench myself in Chicago commuterdom.

(But I also like seeing the amazed faces of neon-clad, plastic-mounted road warriors as I keep pace with them with my fat ass and "slow antiquated hybrid.")

Calling all amateur climatologists

2006-11-21T17:34:00.000-06:00

For the last 2 weeks the winds, both favorable and the pain-in-the-ass variety, have been profoundly strong. It seems that any time we are in between seasons (Chicago is on that cusp of winter and WINTER) the winds really strike up and deliver the brutal goods. Is this because different weather systems are vying for control? Are the globe's weather patterns kicking up a stir (warm below he equator, colder up here?)? I noticed this pattern in New Orleans, but to a much lesser degree.

In any event, the wind after work was actually favorable and from a direction that didn't cause any undue brutal crosswindage. I ended up catching up with a roadie and allowed him to be my "Pace Car." I don't have a computer or anything, and I assumed he was keeping a pretty good clip up. I stayed 2-3 bike lengths behind and just kept my eye on him. The amazing tailwind kept us racing along the Lake, and even after a stop at a neighborhood bodega, I made it home faster than I ever have. I generally eschew mad pace-age after work, but the brisk gale made it impossible to resist!

P.S. Having a southern constitution, Winter in Chicago is WINTER. Or, taking a cue from badass '80's metal bands, W.I.N.T.E.R. (many bands, a la W.A.S.P., were prone to abbreviation syndrome) Or, especially W.I.N.T.E.R.y days can be made more chillingly descriptive with the addition of umlauts (Motorhead or Motley Crue). In my perfect world, winter in Chicago would be abbreviated like above, with an umlaut over EVERY LETTER, and spelled in a nearly unrecognizable speed metal font.*

*The above ramble made a lot more sense and struck me as infinitely more humorous when I was riding home ;)

Sun. AT LAST.

2006-11-19T15:36:00.000-06:00

After having been under the thrall of oppressive grey skies for about a week now, that old rascal The Sun decided to make a grand appearance today, and was it ever nice! When I woke up I happened to see a peek of sunshine coming through the shades and that alone ripped me from a nice slumber. Fueled on high hopes and too much caffeine, I hit the road a little after noon.

Well, the sun's presence was more than welcome, but it was coupled with my mortal enemy: the dreaded Chicago wind. However, it was a colossal tailwind on the Lakefront Trail heading South; in fact, it was so strong that I basically ran out of gears to achieve a cool speed/cadence/comfort level. A 50 tooth front chainring with a 12 tooth rear cog(I think) was still not enough to keep up with the brutal gusts! I managed to get from my house in Edgewater to Navy Pier in a little under 25 minutes!

I didn't want to head super far South, however; the notion of facing such a supreme headwind all the way home was a turn-off. I detoured through the city and did a Wells St./Lincoln Ave/Halsted boogaloo so I could avoid being slammed head on by the formidable gusts. Then I popped by Peformance. While I rode today I had a nice base layer on, but a longsleeved cotton shirt, and the wind and cold were cutting right through the top, so I decided I needed a windbreaker of some sort. I knew that Performance had some pretty affordable ones, so I picked one out--along with some wool socks--and went to check out. There was some kind of special running today, so the total on both was about 60 bucks. BUT...I somehow did not have my credit card and ended up leaving with nothing, leaving myself to be chilled to the Core by the tumultous atmosphere.

Now, allow me to say that I am an ardent supporter of small, local/neighborhood bike shops. But today, the necessity of a windbreaker (along with meager funds in the bank) outweighed my modicum of principle. I occasionally buy from Performance/Nashbar/etc., but I definitely do what I can to keep the "little guys" afloat. It's what I grew up with, and feel a lot more comfortable having that kickass one-on-one interaction.

A fallen friend!

2006-11-18T18:35:00.000-06:00

I called the Brit when I was leaving work yesterday to see if he might want to ride back to the neighborhood with me. No answer. I tried again when I got home, and he answered, and let me know that he got hit on his bike on Wednesday night! He was coming back from a local bar (pub, in BritSpeak) and was smacked down by some hapless driver. His bike was okay, but, after a visit to the famed Chicago econoclinic, he was diagnosed with hairline fractures on his shin. He's unable to ride or even work (he's a waiter) for a week, and we just got back with arming him with tawdry bargain-books from the Brown Elephant.

Here's to a speedy recovery, my friend!!

Groovy gear

2006-11-15T19:45:00.000-06:00

It appears that when it rains it pours, and when I sit in front o' the Mac to detail all things bloggery/bloggish/blogesque, I can't seem to stop. I find myself reigning the longer posts in before I inadvertently compose my own "War and Peace." With fewer Russians.

Anway, I was trying to think about all the nifty bikes I've owned throughout the years, and all the ones I currently have--although a couple are 1000 miles away from me. My first multispeed ride was a C.Itoh (precursor to my Japanese bike fixation, methinks), until I got slammed by a car and was able to buy a Fuji with the insurance money. I doubt the Fuji was anything terribly impressive, but the cache the Fuji NAME alone carried impressed me. I finally outgrew that one and bought a Nishiki Olympic (I think) in 1986. It definitely served me well, got shipped to Indiana when I moved there, and finally made its way to New Orleans, where its skinny lil' rims got waffled and shredded all to Hell by crappy N.O. roads and my (much more so back then) absurdly ample frame (my fat ass).

When I finally tired of destroying rims, I figured that the mountain bike hype had some credence--I could tackle the lunar landscape that is the New Orleans streets with nigh-impunity. I scored a Bridgestone MB-4 at Xmas time, but it was too small, and I was able to bring it back and upgrade to a sweet, blue MB-3 at a negligible cost. This awesome beauty got stolen, however, and by that time Bridgestone had gone out of business so a replacement was not in the cards. A GT Karakoram just didn't cut it for me.

But I did manage to log close to 5000 miles on the GT. I knew that cycling was FINALLY back in my life to stay, and I stupidly (in that who-gives-a-shit, naive post-college way) bought an IF Deluxe frame on a credit card from Speedgoat in 1998. I built this guy up with parts from the GT and some other stuff I had laying about. Goddamn it was sweet. I wrecked it when I mpoved to Austin and IF was badass enough to deliver me a replacement frame at cost. I still have this bike and it sits in New Orleans, waiting to shipped to the tundra and be my winter bike.

Before I moved to Chicago, I saw on the Chi Craigslist that someone was selling a Colnago for a totally affordable price. I snatched it up! But after riding it for several months, I realized it was too small for me, especially with it's undersized top tube/cockpit, and sold it to a cool father/son team who were on the scope for nice bikes to buy.

I ended up finding a Bianchi on Craigslist, and it was completely in my price range (Well, the cost of the newly-sold Colnago), and my size, and the picture made it APPEAR celeste...so my heart was all a pitter-patter. It rode great, but the seller said the seat post was the improper diamter, so I'd have to buy a new one. Also, it was NOT celeste, but a aquamarine blue-ish pallor that was pretty common on mid '80's bikes. Not bad, however. It's a Brava model, Japanese made, and has all 105 "under the hood." The seat post I bought ended up screwing me, though, because now it's STUCK in the seat tube and my LBS says that the seat post diameter was TOO BIG!! AAARGH.....

Feh. Throughout it all I have had my Bridgestone X0-1. I bought it almost 3 years ago from some guy in Portland and it's been my favorite ride of all. It's technically too small for me, but with some clever diddling, I have made it comfortable. When I moved to Chicago I had it on my car's bike rack, and it FELL off the rack several times, with the handlebars slamming into my trunk with a mean, heart-rending THUD. I went for a ride early into my Chicago tenure and I felt the handlebars bend and finally tear from the stem! The metal fatigue from repeatedly slamming into my trunk obviously ruined the bars. I got the XO-1 up and running a few months ago (end of summer) and wondered why the Hell I had been riding anything else!

And through alla that, I bought another MB-3 a few years back, but it's regrettably too small for me (18"). It sits back in the Crescent City, waiting for me to make up my mind as to what should become of it. I'm really thinking about getting shorter so I can have some cool bike to ride when I go home. ;)

Wind...My arch-enemy

2006-11-15T19:21:00.000-06:00

I have been pretty much wussing out from riding to work all week, for one reason or another. But I have been reading Steve's blog about commuting in Chicago, and he has inspired me to quit being such a wimp. Thanks Steve!

But the first thing I do in the morning, and this is out of total habit--is to check weather conditions before a pre-work ride. However, now these same conditions are a ON THE WAY TO WORK ride, and certain conditons can be daunting. 90% chance of rain with rainfall expecting to accumulate over an inch freaks me out. I was caught in that jive last Friday. This morning's forecast called for mean, 30 mph+ gusts from the North in the afternoon, but I really felt up to the task.

30 mph winds piss me off, especially if they are in my face on the trek back home. That was what I had to look forward this afternoon. I usually ride on the lake, but winds are at their most brutal out there, so I opted to ride down Franklin-Chicago-Wells-Clark-Home. Wow! What a difference that made! It was still profoundly blustery, but I could imagine what being along the lake must've been like. Plus I was bale to draft big, unwieldy vehicles quite a bit. Now, if any of you other Chicago-based riders would care to comment on today's gales.....

Well, I have never lived somewhere where wind plays such a dramatic role in the quality of my rides. Austin could get pretty gusty, and the Mississippi River's levee route could fuck me up now and again. But I think since I rely so heavily on clinging to Lake Michigan's swanky bike route, I am basically inviting the soulblasting gusts into my 2-wheeled reverie.

I'd still rather get "blown" than drive, though!!!!

Postscript to below entry

2006-11-12T13:39:00.001-06:00

I received a call after soon I got home and dried off. My neighborly New Orleans gang was wondering if I had actually made the ride in that nonsense! And this included the Brit, who sagely opted to commute by train on Friday. Needless to say they thought I was nuts and I also may have been called an asshole. Been called worse, though. We ended up drinking cheap beer and rum 'til a somewhat reasonable hour....making my decision not to ride yesterday a little easier. ;)

Though P(New Orleans neighbor) and I ended up walking all over the Diversey/Clark/Halsted area for several hours yesterday. He was heading that direction to buy some hi-tech apparatus and I was hell-bent on buying a rear fender for the bikes. So we combined forces. I waited on the fender, though, because I am between paychecks and figure I can make do with a muddy ass (BAD IMAGERY!!!) and silt-spackled legs until Friday. I am also finding it interesting that my bike-strong legs are actually a little sore today from just walking a few leisurely miles.

Worst. Ride. EVER.

2006-11-12T13:39:00.000-06:00

By and large I have been enjoying my commute to and from work. Despite stiff winds and semi-chilly weather, I feel that, when I am on my bike--not in a steel coffin or packed into the train--there is no place I'd rather be. However, my obstinate nature won out over good sense on Friday.

The weather forecast called for a 90% chance of rain. It seemed fine in the AM, so I risked it. And I also figured that if it really came pissing down in the afternoon, then I could throw my bike on a bus or the train for the way home. Well, it didn't seem like it was raining all that hard after work; but I failed to take into consideration I was among really tall buildings and the elevated train tracks--these diffused the rain quite a bit! After just going a bit north, I realized that the rain was a helluva lot stronger than I had figured, and the light was so dim that visibility was really sucking.

Well, it took no time at all until I was totally soaked and freezing. And the winds were howling (30+ mph), throwing sheets of precipitation against me and the bike. And this coupled with my less-than-adequate visibility meant it was sloooow going getting back home. I stopped at Jewel for a wee respite (and to buy some beer) and was told that I could bring my bike inside. That was cool as hell! However, when I went back to grab the bike, it was gone!!! I didn't know my heart could beat that hard. But the kindly security guard who let me put it in the entrance in the first place had moved it to the bread/pastry area, and waved at me to let me know all was well. WHEW!! I was ranting like a madman when I finally returned home, and I am convinced my cats thought I was insane.

And the funny part is that I was carrying a Mac keyboard that was given to me at work to replace the one I fried when I GOT IT ALL WET (coffee debacle) earlier in the week. The simple sack I carry my clothes (and the keyboard) in is pretty slight. I figured the new keyboard was ruined. Luckily, it only got a little damp and is now working fine! Thus explaining my abililty to write this all out...

Tale of 2 bike shops

2006-11-04T15:55:00.000-06:00

I had meant to go out for a nice, long weekend jaunt this morning, but got sidelined by several factors. First off, I am STILL getting over this lungbusting head/chest cold, so the low-ish temps along with the ubiquitous Chicago omniwind threatened to turn my body into a phlegm fountain. I can only spit up and blow my nose while riding SO MANY TIMES. But adding to the nonsense was the nefarious creaking saddle. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the bolt that tightens the seatpost around the seat tube was whacked--the Allen key "imprint" had been basically stripped away after years of use--so I could no longer properly tighten it. The creaking I was hearing was a result of the flexing of the seatpost against the frame (I think).

Now that I'm working downtown, I have been scoping out LBS's near to my work. When I ascertained the source of the Devlish creak I was pretty close to Downtown, so I decided to ride over to the shop that's right down the street from my office: Kozy's. I went there briefly on Friday but had to leave pretty quickly after I received a phone call (I hate being "That guy" on the cellphone). They have a overwhelming, wonderfully prodigious stock of all bikes fancy & new; I hate to say it, but the place reeked of Corporate Overlords and I set up a wee bias against the store. But I'm not really in the market for a new bike (unless my Madcap Heist scheme works out so's I can get a Rivendell) so I can basically ignore the visual cycle onslaught. Well, when I stopped by today I went right to the service counter in the back and was met with a totally friendly guy. Before I even told him what I needed, he nodded at the Bridgestone and said "COOL bike" and we proceeded to talk bikegeekspeak for the next several minutes. The Hell with my bias. I will see this place again.

Oddly enough, Kozy's didn't have the part I needed to make badnoisegobye. So, I put my lengthy ride on standby and rode all the way back to my neighborhood LBS...where they are currently trying to extricate a stubborn seat post from a frame. I'm normally met with a helluva lot of enthusiasm and whatnot, but it must've been a bad day. Back in the repair area, everybody was working away to a badass punk soundtrack (I heard Bad Brains, Descendents, Dead Boys, more!) and I thought that it must be highly killer to work on bikes while set to a slamming punk rock tunescape. Well, everyone was rather low-key surly and kinda blase, and the manager even lost the female part to my seat post binder bolt. And he even seemed (to me, at least) a bit cross to a mother and her teenage son who had to weigh the options of truing a pretty shot rear wheel and buying a new one. Weird. As awesome as I think it must be to spend a lot of time with bikes, I have to also realize that these guys ARE just guys, subject to shitty days (and even shittier customers, I wager) and sometimes this will reflect in their dealings with customers. Even the customers who are in there several times a week!

So rather than say anything or be pissed I merely skulked away, knowing that I'll catch them on a good day sometime soon (I hope). I assumed that the seatpost bolt combo was gratis, but I'll mention it when I pick up the Bianchi.

Calling all experts

2006-11-04T15:47:00.000-06:00

I had intended on shipping my sorely-neglected IF Deluxe up here to the soon-to-be tundra, but thanks to my unholy, unhealthy addiction to Craigslist Chicago's bike ad page, I may have reconsidered. Someone is offering a "Pre Trek, CroMoly Gary Fisher Tassahara (sic)" for a real reasonable price. Now, the Brit rides a new Tassajara, and it's certainly a bike that I wouldn't be that down with; however, it is spec'ed with some pretty reasonable componentry (Deore LX, I think) so I am wondering what the early '90's models came with. I've been trying to hunt down info online, but when you search "Gary Fisher", you get inundated with every peripheral thread under the sun. So if anyone knows what the early '90's, pre-Trek Gary Fisher Tassajaras are all about, please let me know! Hell, even if I get no responses, I am fairly certain I will check it out anyway.

A new route

2006-11-03T18:36:00.000-06:00

Kinda inspired by an article I saw on Jim's site, I decided to take it way the Hell easy after work, meander through an alternate route, and stop by A Nearly New Shop to prowl for a nice old frame to slap my inherited mid-'80's 600 components on. The guy who owned the place was nice and cool as Hell, and we shot the shit for a bit. He had a Miyata frame that was pretty cool, if not a wee bit too small for me. There was also a GORGEOUS Raleigh International coupled with SI Brooks saddle in the back, with a sign on it boldy declaring "NOT FOR SALE!" Niiiice bike. It was his. Well, this was a place I had been meaning to pop by for some time, and I will certainly be back. No definite finds today, but it'll be fun checking in from time to time. The owner said he was in the process of getting the space cleaned out/up for the winter (think wall-to-wall bikes, many up to eye-level...a bike geek's wunderland). I am also considering putting a road bike buildup on hold so I can concentrate on getting a mountain bike sent up from New Orleans and built up to combat the Chicago winter.

Many of my friends/acquaintances are already calling me crazy for biking through these "low" temperatures, and I LOVE IT.

Douchebag, thy name is Richman!

2006-11-03T17:47:00.000-06:00

Alan Richman's name has been getting tossed about in gastronomical/foodie circles lately because of his so-called "New Orleans bashing" piece he recently wrote for GQ. I haven't read the piece, but just got done listening to the aural equivalent: his GQ podcast (http://men.style.com/gq/features/podcasts). Never one to skewer or hang someone before reading his/her words, I settled back with an open mind and open beer and took all that good, good stuff right in.

Well, the guy basically maintains that New Orleans was "never one of [his] favorite cities" and that the cuisine had always left him basically cold. In fact, he asserts that people, by and large, would be better off seeking what their version of "great" New Orleans food is in South Carolina! Now, I don't wanna disparage South Carolina-- I've been a few times, and God bless a state with a real BBQ "Style"--but it certainly doesn't have a true indiginous cuisine like Louisiana has. Hell, if you think about it, Louisiana may very well be the only state that can claim that title. And don't get into the intricacies of Chicago deep dish, Philly cheese steak, etc. Arguments will abound so stay offa my Goddam back. ;) In any event, Richman definitely starts with a bias and does very little to erase it.

And for such an esteemed figure (he's head Dean muckety-muck of the University of Someshit--sorry I forgot the real position) he has his facts fucked-up wrong. On one hand, he states that Cajuns left Canada (right so far), then settled in NEW ORLEANS (huh????), but then later explains that NO isn't really Cajun country and one needs to go a bit Northwestward to get to the heart of KajunKuntry in Lafayette. And in almost the same breath, he claims Cajun food is "kind of" Canadian! Oh, my apoplexy.....

And like any defensive traveller, Richman chooses to dismiss the traveler's guide and ask the locals "what's good?" Way to go. That is certainly the best approach. However, I wholeheartedly doubt that ANY local in New Orleans told him to go to "Louisa's by the Track;" Liuzza's (Lie-OO-za's) is a fairly cherished NO mininstitution and the mere fact of being born within a few miles of the Mississippi River grants you the gift to pronounce the restarant's name phonetically. In the podcast he even admits that he speaks the restaurant's name for the first time aloud! How diffucult was it for him to ask his local advisor, let alone the RESTAURANT IN WHICH HE WAS EATING what the name of the establishment was?? Pfft. In any event, he actually LIKES this place. But I can't seem to recall "light BBQ sauce" on BBQ shrimp there--it's traditionally butter, pepper, worcestershire, and a lil' Elven magic in every bite! NOT BBQ sauce.

So finally he asserts that New Orleans desserts are "second rate" and points to what may be the Big Poobah of NO desserts: Bread Pudding. And he basically shits on the dessert because it is entirely too heavy and "makes no sense", just like a cheese course (which kicks total ass and is FABULOUS). HHrm. I mean, there must be a reason that Bananas Foster (a New Orleans item) is replicated in just about every city in America? SOMEBODY must enjoy these New Orleans desserts! Too bad it ain't him.

I'm not saying popularity equals long-term legitimacy. If so, we'd be discussing the meter of Justin Timberlake lyrics instead of the imagery and Edmund's treachery in King Lear. But Goddammit, some things hold the test of time and New Orleans food is defntely one of them. I think this Alan Richman cat is undoubtedly knowledgeable, but he entered his "journalistic" endevour with a total bias, and can apprently not be swayed from his position. And he, at one point, claims that he "thinks [he] understands New Orleans food." (paraphrasing here...or maybe I'm making it up). Pfft. So it goes. It was just really hard for me to see some jagoff (I'm learning Chicagoan, can you tell) kick something I love when it's down.

Do you smile?Can you talk?

2006-11-02T16:07:00.000-06:00

I meant to drop this nugget a while back. Somewhere during the genesis of my cycling days, I decided to wear a goofy grin and say hello and acknowledge all cyclists that I may see while out having fun. My reasoning being that if people walking/running/driving would see a carefree idiot cycling about, filled to the unholy brim with joy of the bike, perhaps this would encourage the onlookers to experience 2-wheeled salvation for themselves. This was well over 12 years ago, and the goony rictus I wear on my face is now total habit. I'm certain I garner my fair share of weird looks while out riding.

Now, the thing is, as "serious" as I am into cycling (I have the requisite asshole spandex, jerseys, roboshoes, etc.), when I cross paths with other hardcore cycling "brethren", they RARELY reciprocate my hellos or even acknowledge that another cyclist is even around. Christ Jesus. These people look like they were FORCED to be on the bike!! I NEVER see these folks smiling, and in fact, it seem that they can't freakin' wait to get home and collapse in a heap of lycra and sweat. Oh well. :( Is it wrong for me to demand that everyone lighten the fuck up and ENJOY the bicycles that he/she owns?

Dammit. One day when I learn how to organize my thoughts, I'll figure out how to crowbar in a rant regarding how STUPID athletic apparel looks into the above musings. I wear a lot of that silly-looking stuff purely out of function, but GodDAMN does it make me feel like a Cylon sometimes! Do my cycling shoes REALLY need to be yellow and blue? Do ANY shoes need to be bright silver with 962 velcro straps?? One starts feeling like a missing extra from "The Wiz."

Took a steed in

2006-11-02T15:37:00.000-06:00

Today was day 2 of staying home sick from work. Generally I enjoy an unapologetic Hooky Day, but I have been legitimately waylaid by a mean-assed head cold that makes my dome throb when I sit or stand upright for any period of time. I was tempted to ride--now that I've been riding to work I haven't done any over 20 mile rides in a while--but I seemed to recall that riding with a cold "up above" isn't a killer idea. And what with the wind whipping about at 30 mph coupled with 33 degree temps, I decided to say "fuck it" and just ride on my inside trainer (ugh!!) instead. And THAT still made my head leak snot.

However, I didn't want to stay inside all day so I brought my long-neglected Bianchi to my LBS in order to get the stuck seatpost addressed, as well as to swap the new rim's freewheel for the old, tight cluster. I haven't ridden the ole steed in several months and am looking forward to hopping on again soon! The guy who organized the Columbus steel ride a couple of weeks ago mentioned that I could now "hang" with the riders on the aforementioned ride; I told him that the Bianchi was Japanese and was built with Tange tubing, but I think the NAME of the manufacturer alone allowed my entry into said sacred steel sanctum (alliteration kicks ass). I still feel kinda weird about that. The Bridgestone is Ishiwata (quite Japanese!) and kicks all sorta ass over the Bianchi, in my overweight opinion.

Finally, with the end of daylight coming so infernally early, I realize I need some lights to make the brief ride through downtown Chicago a wee less angst-y. Any recommendations for a nice set of forward/rear lights that won't set me back a ton? Also, the moustache handlebars don't allow for a great number of mounting possibilities, so I was going to slap a light on my helmet. I appreciate any and all responses! Maybe I can score a nice set before attempting the Evanston Critical Mass tomorrow evening.

Pic posting test

2006-11-01T10:43:00.000-06:00

I was cleaning out my Yahoo inbox and found some totally stunning pictures of Hurricane Katrina over Mississippi that my mother sent me about a year ago.

I had to resize these and send them to a server that I have a website on. For some reason Blogger isn't allowing me to upload the images directly. It's still weird seeing these pictures, because not only does it remind me of Katrina's impact, but also of the dark space I was in through the hurricane's aftermath. And I was lucky! I moved from new Orleans 4 months before Katrina hit.

Mo' bitchin'

2006-11-01T09:57:00.000-06:00

I deposited a check via the ATM at my local Washington Mutual branch last Wednesday evening. Apparently the bank can indiscriminately hold a check up to 11 DAYS is they feel something might be awry. So, what I'd like to know is WHY THE FUCK IS SOMETHING WONKY ABOUT ROUTINELY DEPOSITING A CHECK IN THE ATM I ALWAYS USE?? Or a tamer query might be: where the MOTHERFUCK is my money??? I have 7 bucks in my wallet and 3 bucks in laundry change on my computer desk. This whole business is screwing all things up. I desperately need to outfit me and the bike with lights for the commute...now that darkness comes so regrettably early. Boo.

BTW I woke with my head swimming in phlegm and emailed in sick to work (another result of having no access to my money--MY PHONE GOT SHUT OFF!!!!!). However, I may just disregard all common sense and take a nice mellow bike ride. AWAY from the brutal gusts that dominate the Lakefront Trail. Or maybe I'll just skulk off back to bed......

AAAAGH!!! I almost forgot.....HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

2006-10-31T18:56:00.000-06:00

This month has been so steamrollingly hectic, that I truly forgot until a few moments ago that it was freaking Halloween! For the sake of the ambulatory kiddies out there, everyone should refrain from driving (we're all getting reaccustomed to the early darkness, now), and be careful during Satan's Prime Time. I'm hoping I'll be invited to my neighbors' house and we'll all watch cheesy horror flicks and quaff cheap beer.

BTW, the Brit has taken the plunge into clipless pedals! He called me last night to ask my advice, but I had crashed really early in order to erase my sleep deficit. So far, he loves them and has yet to eat shit. I ate it the first day I had them (riding next to a horse & carriage in the French Quarter), so he has me beat on day one! However, I pegged him for someone who would NEVER make this plunge. He's pretty much the consummate utilitarian rider. Now if I could just convince him to wear a Goddamned helmet...!!!

Back! ...and so very tired

2006-10-31T18:37:00.000-06:00

I hate driving. I despise being in cars. Traffic makes me damned queasy. This may be a result of not getting a driver's license until I was 25, relying pre-license on cycling, walking, public transportation, and bumming rides from angry friends. For this reason, I feel so unnatural riding/driving in cars, being subject to unholy traffic conditions (a fucking sickass travesty here in Chicago), let alone being cooped up in a steel coffin for FOURTEEN HOURS!!!!

Our ride to Oklahoma was pretty uneventful, save for the fact we were in a Jeep for FOURTEEN HOURS!!!! Over the course of the weekend, I may have managed to get 6 hours of sleep total, and had to be back at work on Monday. After the return voyage of 13.5 hours, we dropped off the equipment, I loaded my drums in my car, and I limped my and the bassist's sorry, exhausted asses back to Edgewater.

I rode to work Monday morning, and was met with a typically mean wind on the Lakefront Trail. But it was actually somewhat WARM both during and after my ride! AND...the southerly wind held up and I had a modicum of a tailwind on the way back home. Today, though, I am fending off a nascent head cold, and the sinusitis that results from riding in windy/cool conditions reared its gooey head during the course of both branches of the ride. I was swearing like a sailor as I got to Ardmore, but the angst was mitigated once I realized I WAS NO LONGER DRIVING!!! The Oklahoma Automotive Experience had tagged me with a wicked hangover, but the nine miles home definitely helped erase its mark. :)

Yet I had to hurry up and move my CAR so I could be in compliance with Chicago's street cleaning division. I was uberlucky to find a spot right around the corner from my house. Jesus H Christ. I really wanna sell this car (a 2000 Honda Civic 4 door), but having a reliable, totally paid for car just might come in handy at some point....right??? Or am I just foolin' myself?? But when the Hell DO I drive? I schlep my bassist to practice 2X a week (and have been telling him to score a bike), and that's truly the extent of the madness. I happily remember when I was pre-25 and didn't have the Green Badge of Bullshit (my Civic) looming over my head, demanding gas, repairs and insurance. Just my feet and my bike, almost always happy to hit the road grinnin'!

High-atus...

2006-10-26T22:28:00.000-05:00

So, my goddamn band has a goddamn gig in goddamn Oklahoma City on Saturday. We shall depart in less than 8 hours for this ill-fated nonsense. I'm just bummed that so much of my time has to be compromised sitting in a CAR. Grr!!! I might feel better if I could pack my bike along and take advantage of OC's mid-60-70 degree weather, but no dice. Needless to say, I probably won't be writing any more o'er heah until Monday....when I once again pedal my sorry ass to the toilbox.

BTW, I have been wondering who the OTHER XO-1 owner is in Chicago! My buddies across the street said they saw a white (Read: '92) XO-1 splayed across the street in an accident (close to the Fire Station) and FREAKED because they thought it was me (it wasn't). Then a couple of months ago, I saw this guy go by me the opposite way on the Lakefront Trail. My instinct was to turn around immediately, catch up with him and share with him a geeky bike diatribe. I didn't.

Anyway, if you're reading this, or if someone out there knows who this is, let me know. I need to recruit this SOB so we can start a new gang. But someone has to lend me the ducats for the requisite "Crips-Style" doo-rags.

What the...?

2006-10-26T18:28:00.000-05:00

My last post was much longer, but somehow managed to get truncated after that copyright symbol. Oh well. The long and short of it was that the morning's ride was windy and brutal; the afternoon's was rife with mad tailwindiness, although coupled with much harder rain and colder temperatures. I was wet, cold and miserable when I got home. Now I am kind of sore, and I don't remember the last time I was sore after a ride. I am in worse shape than I thought!

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I...hurt....

2006-10-26T18:10:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's commute was sweet and uneventful. There was a typical wind off the lake that made the morning's ride somewhat challenging, but a slight tailwind for the afterwork ride was pretty sweet. Someone at work asked me if it was I who dared brave the "cold" outside and ride a bicycle; even to my wimpy Southern constitution was the weather hardly "cold." Luckily I have a handful of decent warmbringer©

Tomorrow better rock

2006-10-24T22:56:00.000-05:00

I decided, after taking CTA for a few days--Red Line to Fullerton, transfer to Brown Line to Chicago and Franklin--that tomorrow I must ride to work. Everyone at the job is wonderfully amenable and cool re: the idea, so I have no excuses!

I rode to work over the last couple of months in New Orleans pre-Chicago move. Initially, it was to save money for the move. But having done it somewhat frequently in the past, I knew how much fun it could be, and I was uberstoked to commit to it full time. And after a nightmare shit day at my ex-gig, I could turn my ride home into a much longer journey by taking a couple of extra laps through Audubon Park. These rides were definitely the highlights of my day.

In fact, it kinda pissed off my friend/co-worker (he never full-on said he was PISSED, but I could tell it affected him), who was a "lapsed cyclist": one who had a nice bike (beautiful old Raleigh Super Course), bought a new one to reinvigorate his love of cycling (a Fuji somethingsomething...105 gear and MAYBE a Reynolds frame...I fergit), yet was more than happy to drive to work even though he lived muuuuuuch closer to work than I did. However, he and I shared quite a few brisk rides on the Mississippi River levee after work and had crazy fun! I haven't spoken with him in some time and I sincerely hope he's still riding (even though I frequent an online forum that he moderates and I see that he and is are all well).

I just called my Chicago sometime cycling buddy, now henceforth referred to as THE BRIT, and he and I may ride togther downtown tomorrow morning. I'm just waiting for the call. In any event, I can't freaking wait for tomorrow. Nothing makes me feel finer than knowing my faithful steed is a mere few paces away from me while at work. Happy. :)

Just a little more for tonight...

2006-10-23T19:39:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned before, I feel my adult(ish) cycling renaissance began when I got my Bridgestone MB-3. When it got stolen through sheer drunken idiocy on my part, I was in shock. ESPECIALLY when I learned there were no more Bridgestones to be had! I rode my roommate's Cannondale from time to time (sterile, bland), test rode some Giants (uninspiring), tried a Bontrager that was being sold for a kickass price (GREAT ride, but not enough "flash"--man was I stupid!!), and ultimately settled for a GT. Jesus. I had an OK amount of money at that time, and the bike was outfitted with some pretty nice stuff.

But after a couple of years, I realized that this was NOT the bike. For one, the LBS had fitted me all wrong--I am 6'1" and was riding a 16" frame--I looked like a fucking circus bear on one of those little bikes. At the same time, I was riding 100+ miles a week, losing mad weight, and realizing that this lifestyle was going to stick. I bought an IF frame from Speedgoat in 199something (thank you, good old student-issued credit cards!) and put as many of the GT's parts on it as I could. After a brief breaking in period, I LOVED that bike. My friends called it my "Robot Bike." I moved to Austin, wrecked this poor bike by colliding with a trailer PARKED IN THE BIKE LANE! I hit my head tube on the trailer, and the momentum apparently accordion-ized the top tube. It was toast. But all praises due IF. I called them, explained my lot, and they offered to give me a new frame AT COST. Sweet. But it was going to take a couple of weeks....

Which was a real buzzkill to me. I HAD to ride. It was my heroin (or dilaudid, if ye prefer). Luckily, I found a classified ad that detailed a BRIDGESTONE MB-3 in my size for a freaking SONG!!! YAAAAAAY!!!!! Goddamn. I test rode it, forgot how amazing these wonderfully simple bikes felt, and bought it right then and there. I threw some semi-slicks on it and was promptly tearing up the Streets of Austin. But when I'd take it in the the local shops (with one exception--a place comprised of totally cool old-school types), people would ask, "Jeeez. Can you even FIND headsets anymore for 1" head tubes?" I felt like I ws riding an anachronism, and decided to sell it to a buddy in New Orleans. I still feel that transaction was one of the worst I've been involved with. :(

Many many miles later, coupled with a knowledge gleaned from hanging around bike shops way past closing time and passing out reading Sheldon Brown's site, I came to the realization that I DON'T NEED THE CYBERBIKE. I have an appreciation for what some of these new gizmos do, but in the grand scheme of things, I don't see them improving my cycling lot. I have bar end shifters, and can't imagine that employing the SIS whackadoodles makes that much more of a difference in the sheer enjoyment of cycling. But if you have 'em and love 'em, then God bless. But the vast majority of my life has been spent with friction shifting/downtube shifters/thumbshifters; as novel as I see the "improvements" are, I just can't afford/justify chasing technology. I see folks on their Litespeeds (not a diss) with a fully indexed SIS Dura Ace (not a diss) out riding and it sure as shit doesn't look like technology is helping their rides! ;) In fact, they look like they are in abject agony and can't wait to get back home and recieve their creatine enemas. Maybe that last part was just a wee diss.

I may just delete this post. I started with one concept, got sidetracked, and realized that I totally rambled my way through this.

Damn you, WIIIIND!!!!

2006-10-23T19:24:00.000-05:00

Perhaps I should save this invective for a longer, more thought out post. But maybe I should just let some things go!! When I was doing a pre-work ride this morning, the wind was screaming from the west, making it an apparent omnidirectional headwind! AAARGH! The worst thing, though, is that when it's cool/cold I can't ride in any modicum of an aerodynamic position because when I lean over and the cold/wind assails my schnozz, I become a snot factory and the junk just leaks out wantonly.

Sometimes I think that a crosswind the entirety of a ride is infinitely worse than having a mean headwind just half the way. Is there any real bearing to my quasitheory? Does the wind slowing the wheels down from the side do more velocity damage than wind slamming you from the front? In any event, this morning I felt like I was on Quaaludes, biking through molasses, trying to overcome a thick, unyielding slab of atmosphere.

New day, new job/winter bike advice

2006-10-23T18:52:00.000-05:00

I was offered a pretty cool gig last week; however, upon more consideration, I realized that I would be making even LESS money than I was making in New Orleans! ACK!!! Not that I'm totally mercenary, but having plugged away in this (Virtual) field for almost a decade now, I have a pretty good ballpark estimate of what my madd skillz be worth. In any event, my new employer and I were able to work out some pretty equitable terms (only having to eat shit for 30 days) and, if today's any indication, it's going to be a fun ride. In fact, I asked if I could bring my bike into the office (I'll be damned if I'm leaving the XO-1 locked outta my sight, even if it's in a sarcophagus!!!) and the response was copacetic. My man said "we'll FIND you the room." Pretty cool, eh?

So, I need to ask some advice. I have a really nice mountain bike (IF Deluxe built up with some nice, durable parts) in New Orleans. I have been scouting Craigslist and the like for an appropriate Winter beater. But considering I have a strong steel steed I could readily ship up here, I am leaning toward winterizing the IF. Now, how does steel and winter conditions get along? Unfortunately, the frame has a significant amount of rust (surface, mostly), so I am rather paranoid in subjecting to more corporeal abuse. But it IS a big, bad mountain bike, after all. Sigh. Also, I was given a '85 Trek 650 that has a bent top tube a couple of weeks ago. Ostensibly, I got it so I could replace my Bianchi's wacked rear wheel. But the Trek has nice ole Shimano 600 parts on it throughout, and all can be scavenged by me, except for its 165 cranks and weenie lil' stem, so I have been looking for a frame to throw these parts on. But at this point, I am unsure how to direct my energies.

The IF can be shipped pretty cheaply; it's missing a rear wheel--I appropriated its old one when the XO-1's stock Araya went kablooey (now I have an 8 speed [11-23] on the Bridgestone--run on friction--who wudda thunk it--I've always been content with a 6 speed freewheel!). So I could buy a decent rear wheel for a negligible cost. But if I build up a bike with 700c wheels and all that Jazz, would I be able to find a good, inexpensive frame that would have fender clearance? Ye gods, the mind rightly boggles. And hell, at the same time...I wanna do BOTH. And knowing me, I will have both the IF and some frightening frankenbike sitting in my hallway in a month or two. But what a sweet obsession, n'est-ce pas?

Ye olde colde

2006-10-22T22:00:00.000-05:00

My band played a show last night, and, in lieu of getting paid, we drank for free. Woohoo. I managed to chat up some chick I had my eye on since she entered the bar and she was super-cool. A journalism major who was amazingly bright, informed, ATTRACTIVE, and didn't seem to be turned off by a drummer in a sweaty shirt. When I had to get up and go to the bathroom, I got accosted by well-wishers and other bandmates and was long in returning to my new friend. She was gone when I got back. :(

Anyway, I didn't wake up until 10:30 AM--well past normal--and was totally hellbent on riding (2 wheeled penance in this case). The temperature was 40 degrees with a 15 mph northwest wind. I eschewed the oh-so-normal route of the Lakefront trail due to the fact that wind on the lake is a total motherfucker. It's the path of most resistance. And I really don't dig having a wind in my face on the entire return voyage home (I live on the north side of Chicago). Well, since I had to head west to get to the North Branch trail, I was rocked a bit by the gusts. But I managed to stay mentally afloat by the mantra, "At least it's not the lake..."

My Louisiana constitution has been fortified by living in the tundra for a year and a half. I used to ride in New Orleans when it was (rarely) in the forties with a simple helping of Blackbottom tights and a kickass wicking longsleeve undershirt. However, even so amply armed, I had a threshold of about an hour. My hands and feet would become antagonistically numb and ultimately force me to return home. So, I expected today's ride would be no different. Well, over an hour into the ride I was feeling freakin' STELLAR and decided to stay out for a while. I ended up doing about 32 comfortable miles and ended up at my friends'(and feloow New Orleanians) place where we supped on Old Style Light and homemade Salibury Steak with Bobak's appetizers. These sumbitches know how to live!!! ;) Oh yeah, when we went to Jewel to get gusto supplies, I was still wearing my bikey costume and I felt riiiight conspicuous. Ahh, the hell with it.

Forgive me, but I have been right girl-crazy these days. Hell, not that this is abnormal! When I was approaching the end of the North Branch Trail, I saw 2 profoundly gorgeous women on nice bikes stopped on the opposite side from me, clad in da togs of those "in the know," and who gave me nice, enthusiastic responses to my "Hello! Howarya?" query I offer to people I pass while riding. It made me feel pretty good. Thank you, my unknown female compatriots. I hope y'all had a badass day of riding.

I am full and tired, filled with sick tumult due to my imminent first day on a job tomorrow. Soon, I wanna detail my ride with the "Columbus steel lovers" ride that happened yesterday morning. And BTW, my healthy bike is made o' Ishiwata....!

Draft not lest ye be drafted

2006-10-20T16:20:00.000-05:00

I went for a long, meditative ride today, thinking about a job offer (cool gig, waay less money) while doing so. There was one of these weirdo Chicago winds that never appear to be a headwind or tailwind--just one of those freakish omnidirectional blasts that grind yer ass down after a while. Well, while forging through the gusts, not once, but TWICE did someone come from behind and draft me. If folks reciprocate, I can hardly mind, but more often than not when this happens, when the opportunity arises, these chumps blow by without even any words of thanks. The second guy who was behind me gave me a funny look when he passed me by the aquarium; I had stopped to blow my nose (Goddamn cool weather and constant wind give me brutal sinusitis) and this neon avenger rode by me--maybe the site of a big dude in a Husker Du shirt atop an old steel bike struck him as funny. So he DID kinda smile, in a goofy, "WTF?" kind of manner! Well, I really don't have enough venom to maintain this quasi-rant, but just let me assert:

If you roll up on someone and draft him/her for any significant amount of time:
RETURN THE DAMN FAVOR.
If even for just a little bit.
Seriously. The Time Trial Gods won't condemn you to Cat 5 for all eternity or someshit.

Soon: my rant on cyclists who don't smile or ever acknowledge you.

Christ, I'm lazy....

2006-10-19T20:07:00.000-05:00

I decided to set up a blog to document my random blathering about all things bikes a couple of months ago. In the meantime, I lost my sweet freelance gig and have been inordinately preoccupied with finding a new job....therefore forgetting my "obligation" to blog, brag and blablablah about cycling. In any event, I feel that I can laugh again. ;)

I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA for 15 years; unceremoniously dragged into the badlands of Indianapolis (more accurately: its cracker-ass Northern 'burb of Carmel) from 15-20; retreated to what I KNEW at 20 to New Orleans; gathered some sweet skills (including, but not limited to the nunchuks, web design and grooming a sweeeet moustache) and relocated to Austin, TX; got bored, moved back to NO and got employed with a quasi-bigwig Internet Co.; realized the cocksucking douche who ran the place would never stoop to improve my lot financially, so I moved Goddamn BACK to the Midwest---so here I is--CHICAGO. But I'm pretty much digging the Hell outta it so far...except for the shitty weather.

So, what, pray tell, does that blistering preamble have to do with bikes and the like? Fuck all, je pense. But actually, the vast majority of my life has bent spent as a non-driver. I didn't get a license
(driver, that is) until I was 25 and was fortunate enough to inherit a car from MY LITTLE SISTER WHO IS 8 YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME. Hee hee hee. Biking was ALWAYS a part of my life, and in Baton Rouge in particular, it opened my eyes up to interconnectivity of cities and let me knew that even the most "remote" of locations are ultimately and easily accessible without being at the helm of 2 ton killing machines.
My first bike was a single speed Raleigh that I reluctantly clambered aboard at/about age 7. Most of my friends had been riding waay before me. In fact, I was so scared of falling I told myself, "who needs this shit?".... but I may have not used the expletive. Anyway, I had cousins who were a formidable cycling posse: 4 guys who all rode bikes under the badass aegis of their parents who took the family on cycling tours around the state. These suckas had 10 SPEEDS....OmiGODDD!!!! Damn, I got jealous. My stepfather ultimately modded my Raleigh with a kickass old-school beercan shim and some old parts into a sweet 3 speed bad boy. Unfortunately, this bike got stolen in a fit of teenage poor judgement. Krap.

But I just had to imitate my next-older cousin and get a C. Itoh like he had; had I known this was an early output of Bridgestone it may have made my nascent BOBish bones quiver. But in any event, it was my first, legit multi-speed ride, and I rode the living fuck outta it. In fact, I convinced my mom to let me ride it when I was 9 during a nasty-ass Southern Lousiana downpour so I could by the X-Men graphic novel "God Loves, Man Kills." (I have a weirdo recall memory) However, I sidetepped her sage advice and rode on the busy street (Highland Rd. between W. Washington and Chimes St.) where I got slammed into by a legally blind man behind the wheel of a 4 door deathbox. I was fine, my bike was finished. I ultimately got an insurance check for my poor mangled steel wreck, and was able to purchase....

A FUJI.

Fuji. FU-ji. FOO-GEE. The damn name fit in my mouth like a retainer in a pimpled teenager. The Fuji name and its provenance got thrown around lovingly by my biking family (cousins and Baton Rouge Bike Club), so, GoddDAMN, I KNEW I had a class ride. Even after my mother allowed me to ride in the aforementioned minor rain, I was able to talk her into riding my sweet Fuji to school. You have to understand, this was through a pretty rough (read: poor undt black) part of Baton Rouge. Understand: I'm no racist; but when I used to jog through my neighborhood (this fat kid was FORCED to jog), I got mugged and attacked several times. So I knew hard times lurked out there. But I had a new fast bike. ;) While all the kids boarded the school bus for the hour-plus forced march back home, I'd proudly hop on my steel steed and make it back home in 20 minutes or under...just in time to catch Voltron.

See: back then, bikes just represented FREEDOM, and the ability to circumvent what the rest of the throng HAD to subscribe to, to just make their way. And having and loving my bike made me wonder why the Hell so many of my friends had to live so far away from the city in these sterile cookie cutter huts that looked like they were pressed from Play-Dough molds! These guys had to ride simply AROUND their 'hoods instead of traversing the entirety of Baton Rouge (or, at least, what I knew of it). That empowering sense of two-wheeled freedom got ultimately reinforced when I rode over 60 miles to Baton Rouge from a "Biking Camp" at Camp Ruth Lee when I was...younger.

Jesus. Enough of the Sentimental Journey. Fast-forward to 1994 when I get my first new bike since Godknowswhen. Getting consumed by the mountain bike craze of the era, coupled with wanging out my skinny alloy rims on my Nishiki Olympic on the Mean Streets (SHIT! Van Halen/Fair Warning is on right now!) of New Orleans made me decide that it was time to get FAT. Fat tire FAT. Treads, yo. I headed to the late, lamented Bikesmith on Freret in New Orleans, and after a sweet test ride, fell in love with the Bridgestone bikes. The MB-4 I rode was quick, relatively light, and amazingly responsive...not unlike the Nishiki I was currently riding. (A quick aside...I had the opportunity to grab a '92 X0-1 at a fucked up bargain price but declined due to my newfound "zeal" for MBs...grrr!!!) So, with my family's unorthodox method o' gifting (a "try before you buy" kinda manuever), my shiny new MB-4 greeted me that grey Christmas day; however, the size was TOO SMALL and I found I hadda run the seatpost above the max insertion line in order for me to be comfortable. Crap!!!!! Luckily I was able to return the bike and upgrade to a previous years' MB-3 that was my faithful lil' buddy for years before I stupidly left it unlocked in front of a good old New Orleans convenience store/crack epicenter. When I found out Bridgestone pulled out of the American market in 1994, I wanted to die....especially after riding "replacements" made by Cannondale, GT and Giant.

Jesus. Who do I think I am? Tolstoy? Enuff of the backstory. Soon I will tickle ass with feather through more in depth cycling tales from the bayou, desert, and the ventis urbis. And if you're not careful, you might learn something before we're done. ;)

--Jason

2006-08-08T17:17:00.000-05:00

So it begins.....