Ice 101

Today was my first experience riding on ice.
I went down stairs and opened the door, took a step, and almost fell on my rear.
My first thought was, this will be educational.
My thoughts were indeed correct, it was educational.
On the short two mile jaunt I slipped a few times but never went down. On a further note several people did slide off the road, some of which sustained substantial damage to their vehicles (not person).
Modest tips if you indeed have to ride on ice:

1.) Go slow!!!
2.) Go slower!!!
3.) Keep as much weight on the saddle as possible
4.) Stay away from spots where you know water gathers
5.) Don't lean to turn
6.) Watch the surface of the road (it's like cleaning glass, look at it, not through it)
7.) Avoid manhole covers, sidewalks, water valve covers.
8.) Watch out for cars, they don't realize that the only thing holding them on the road is four small patches of  rubber!!!
9.) Plan for going down, it will probably happen just be prepared when it does.
10.) Stay visible
Don't ride on ice if you don't have to, I did because I like to push it, the envelope, buttons, my limits

I just want to throw this out there,  but I am in a situation, I have neighbour that attempted to blow up our apartment building he spent a couple hours in the hospital and then was released. The landlord refused to do anything so we are looking for a place to live, pet and kid friendly at least 2 bedroom, preferably  3br.
Open to most places near Johnstown except Gloversville. We can afford $450.00 a month and have never missed, or have been late on paying rent. We would also would be open to a rent -to-own house.
When tax time comes we would be able to put a substantial amount down on a rent-to-own or owner financed house.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Going Into Hibernation

Starting this weekend I will only post once a month.
I am not a blogger, and my stories and writings are bland and uneventful.
I also feel that switching to a once-a-month schedule will allow me to live a more fruitful and exciting
life.

First Impressions (Free Spirit)

Today it felt like riding a BMX bike the way to work and back, it felt like I was doing the grasshopper.
I should have taken a longer test ride.
Alas, this bike has great potential inside, and hopefully I will unlock it within the next couple months.
This bike was definitely worth the $20 that was paid for it.
I could see some bar-end shifters, a brooks, and a brake upgrade in the near future.
Still rides better than the crap you buy at Sprawl-Mart or Bullseye.

My Christmas Bike

This is a bike I got for Christmas from my wife.
It is a Free Spirit , distributed by Sears.
If I were to guess I would say it's late 70's early 80's.
This is a lugged steel frame, north road bars, ten speed.

Needs a tune-up bad. Found on Craigslist $20

Cold Air Deflates?

I have been noticing Victor getting sluggish lately, slowly. Fear started overtaking me, was I gaining more weight? Was I getting that out of shape? Riding slower and slower, riding was sucking more and more the colder it got.
I checked my tires everyday before I rode off to work they seemed okay.
This is where I had an epiphany, I checked my tires after I got to work, it must be cold enough to
condense the air in my tires. This temperature drop decrease the air pressure noticeably.
I am going to try over inflating them tomorrow. I will let you know here.

Winning Best Comment

I was sooo excited that I won the best comment left from the Kickstand virtual alleycat, It was very fun
the most fun I have had on the web since Charlie the Unicorn.
Still more, Rick Smith himself emailed me.

Riding In Snow

I have a Raleigh DL-1 that I lovingly call Victor. He is only bike that I have with fenders, So it is the only one that I ride lately.
This bike has Rod Brakes  these suck, especially in the cold and snow, if you have a rod braked equipped roadster don't ride it in the snow PLEASE! 
If you are indeed crazy like me be prepared to not stop.
However there are some benefits of riding a bike like this, i.e. these bike are dead smooth and really stable. It is so beautiful riding on an empty road covered in snow.
I do recommend taking your bike out on a fresh snow covered road or path, this is an experience I would love to share.

Surprises

Today I was surprised to find four walkers on the Rail Trail in this bitter cold.
Another surprise was the Operations Manager's face after work, the management team were all staring out the doors with a curious look.
I had a bunch of boxes and they all watched as if a magic show was going on, and I wasn't going to disappoint.
We are allowed to take boxes as long as we have them checked by A.P. (Asset Protection) first. Part of the check is also to break them down and tape them together.
On with the show.
So, I took my keys sliced the tape unfolded two of the four boxes, immediately after I unclipped my belt and swung it out in one movement ( picture your Dad or Grandfather when you needed discipline), threaded it through my new rack and tightened it down. You should have seen their faces......

One More Creation

This is my latest creation, Aaron. Aaron is actually older than Victor but he doesn't look that old. Tell me what you think, did I pull off the pathracer look?

Meet Aaron

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before you ask, yes it's fixed.

Heart Song

It is that perfect cup of coffee, that first breath you inhale when you step outside, it is taking the moment to stop and appreciate simple things and find joy in them, it is the sound of your breath, your heart beating, it is your heartsong. That inspired me to create the headbadge for my wife's bike.

Sometimes I Never Learn

It happened again after my own math lesson I have managed to rip my chaingaurd off again! URGHHH!
If anybody has a solution for solving this please let me know.
Oh, and Happy Hanukkah for any of my Jewish readers out there.