Chains

" Are you going to put chains on that thing? " Seems to be the most popular question asked lately,
mean while I am the only person who bikes to work. First I would say " Yeah, right?" as if I will need chains
for the upcoming winter, Now I have been asking if they put chains on their car. ( that they warm up for a half hour in their driveway until they are ready to leave) It seems that the colder it gets, the more people think I am nuts, and I think they are nuts, like my neighbour, he gets picked up (score +1 for carpooling) to go a block away to work! (score -4 for laziness) I used to love in the summer on the trail, I would be getting on my bike, he the truck, I would pass him, and then see the truck pull into his work. Ha, I still beat him, two legs vs. eight cylinders.
My question is: Are people that lazy that when they see you doing something active, they want you to stop?
 I have drawn my conclusion from comments like " Don't you have car?" and the like, What are you experiences feel free to share in the comments below.

In-Laws

Today was a beautiful day in upstate New York, my wife and decided to go on a short ride.
We would have went on a long ride had it not been for us letting my parents use our van. (We could have hauled our bikes to a longer trail)
So I asked Alyssa to call her parents and ask if they wanted to join us, they said yes.
This is one thing really appreciate about my in-laws, their health and willingness to do active things. (polar opposite of my folks)
We had a nice meander out to Mayfield (10mi. round trip)
I really wish that my parents, especially my Mom would start taking better care of herself.
I can't remember one time when my Mom did anything active with us, even when I was a kid.
    On another note, I realize the need to get some more pictures up, the Moses transformation is happening soon and I will try to photograph some of the progress, if not the outcome anyway.

Friday, Bike Friday

The second time I have seen the Bike Friday guy, He snuck up behind me then passed me pedalling quite
quickly, my slow and steady cadence in third on Victor soon was ready  to pass him.
Immediately he shot up a short cut, I stayed steady, and still beat him (if he was trying to shave time)
The steady cadence technique I learned from Moses(my fixed gear), it pays, I don't get worn-out or terribly out-of-breath.

Day One

It was the first commute on my DL-1 (Victor) since the big ben(d)
So far so good it hasn't bent yet, but it is only two rides thus far.
This doesn't mean I am not looking for another bike( I have found one, and might try selling something to get it).
I have been easy on it, unloading the front over bumps( surprisingly easier than you might think, even on that monster)Well I hope all works out for me and Victor.

Trial One

Well, I didn't have enough money with Christmas coming to buy a `61 Rudge with dynohub on CList for $60.
I have very little money, so I attempted to fix my forks on Victor(DL-1).
I removed the brakes then the wheel,( I don't know why I forget to take pictures) removed the fork (yes the bearings went all over) flipped it upside down on the floor and stepped on it, checked the brake clearance, repeated.
After I had bent it back as close as I could, I placed the fork in my oven at 550 degrees Fahrenheit, for about an hour then turned the oven off and let it cool slowly in the oven.
I will post updates on whether it works or not.

The Best Photo Entry Yet

In following EcoVelo's photo contest for a while this has got to win the award for funniest so far...

EcoVelo � Blog Archive � Philippe Mal�part’s Photo Contest Entry

What to do?

My beloved Raleigh Tourist (Victor) is no-longer in commission.I had noticed a while back having to adjust my brakes and my fender scraping the tire a bit.
I didn't think anything of it, I just gave some tweaks and was on my way. Last night I noticed again that my brakes were not working right. Today on me way to work there was a screeching noise and it felt harder to pedal. This afternoon  the noise was even louder, and then I hopped a curb and a brake stirrup popped out
the tire really scraped this time.
Any ideas?