Saturday, December 23, 2006

ToP Christmas Party








I was standing at the cash wrap @ the Cranberry ToP store while Bonnie talked on the phone trying to straighten out my account when she handed me the phone. "Hello?" I said and a friendly voice answered back, "hello". It was Don (owner, construction manager, and Team supporter) he asked me if I would attended the employee Christmas party that weekend. Of course I said yes and felt honored to be asked so he told me of the details and that was that. Sunday Michelle and me drove down to the Robinson location where everyone from all the stores meet for a few drinks (water for me of course) and snacks. Christian put together a really cool mock gift giving idea at which everyone had a good time with.




After hanging out at the store Don treated everyone to a nice dinner at a local eatery Mad Mex. I myself had a great time spending a few hours with some very professional buisness people. Since I've really only been involved with this shop for a few months one wouldn't expect to be accepted so quickly but I really felt like part of their family. These guys and gals all had regular lives which included husbands, wives, children, families, homes, hobbies and such. This was a comfortable group of people to be with and both Michelle and I enjoyed their company especially Bonnie (Tanya) and her SO Harry. We had some very interesting conversations about Ghosts, Spirits, Music, and Food before Bonnie finished her pitcher of some slushy fruity looking stuff. Being someone who doesn't really drink much besides the occasional glass of cheap cheap wine I was unable to tell you what the stuff was.




I Think its going to be a very good year with these guys and I must say Thanks to everyone there for welcoming me and a big shout out to Don for the party (it looked like over 25 people)!


Thursday, December 14, 2006

Shopping


Last Sunday I had a little shopping to do so I added the pack to my Portland and rode off to Cranberry (28 Miles). The weather was a mild 50 some degrees and it was partly sunny which made for a very enjoyable ride. I have my mp3 player loaded up with christmas music to get me into the "spirit". Rolling along Rt68 while listening to the Rat Pack Classics is a great way to spend a sunday afternoon if I must say.




Anyway I finally reached my shopping destination (Trek of Pgh Cranberry) where I picked up a new saddle, two tires for the commuter, a horn, and a floor pump. I loaded all this on to the rack with the help of a few bungee cords and realized that if I happen to tip over I'll need a crane to set my bike back up. It would be like dumping a full dresser Harley and expecting to bring it up on your own, yea right!

A nice shot of Bonnie, Me, & TJ. Ok Her name really isn't Bonnie but I don't think its my place to explain how this name came about or to even tell you her real name. Lets just stick w/Bonnie, ok? She ground up an excellent pot of coffee for the 3 of us to savor while talking shop. In fact she even doubled as the "hand" model in the following snapshots with the chain. She is a very multi-talented individual which is more than likely the reason she is working for the new store. ToP has the distinction of hiring top notch quality people that can be experianced by visiting any of their stores. But enough of that, now just before leaving we thought it best for me to install a new chain on the 10speed drivetrain of the Portland because the chain had some serious stretch.





TJ pulled out one of these newer Wipperman Connex 10 speed chains for me to try. Now the history of me and chains on this particular bike is well known to be short. Short as in the life span of the chains. I've replaced chains on this bike at least 4 times since purchasing it last February. We have verifyed stretch every time! No I'm not some abusive rider but maybe its because of the massive "storktorq" I'm capable of delievering, maybe?


Knowing that I don't ride this bike much in the summer, thats almost a chain a month! They have all been Dura Ace so why not try something else. We installed the new chain but not before removing the seatpost and rack because the bike was to heavy to stay on the Bike repair stand! After completion I again straddled the bike and rode off right from the shop repair area because Bonnie was kind enough to open the door for a clipped in exit!

I found myself stopping several times on the return trip to make adjustments as I found the chain not shifting smoothly. This is expected from a new installation especially since the cassette and chainrings are both worn. Never the less I'll give it some time before making any judgement on it. Once reaching the house I put the bike on a scale which stiffled me with the almost 45 pound reading! I wonder what the pros ride for training???

Thanks to TJ= chain install, Bonnie= coffee, & ToP for the parts.

stork

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Night Ride, Finally!

Ok it finally happened! I managed to gather up my equipment which was now working and headed to North Park with Chris and Mike (Mike seen leaning on the tree). Last night with mild temps we started out near the ice rink and headed into the vast trail system thru-out the park. Chris immediatly took authority as our trail guide by leading the way. As we rode thru the mud due to the warm temperature (40+), Chris would explain our exact location in the park and tell us about the current trail we where riding. I was impressed by his knowledge of the park and it was refreshing to be following instead of guiding as I usually have to do on most rides.


Here we see Chris working on his lighting system. Which he had convinced Mike and I of being the most reliable system one could own by showing us the "backup" power supply. I think Mike and I caught on that it was actually a system made for two lights and since he only used one, when that battery cable failed he simply plugged the light into the other cable. Smart idea and even smarter to trick Mike and I into believing that this was the manufactures intent! Funny stuff. Chris was riding a Paragon 29er and seemed to be getting excellent traction in the semi-sloppy mud just as I was on my Rig 29er. Mike on the other hand, needs to upgrade to the larger tires! Yea Mike I said it, get those big tires...you'll love'em. Both guys are great riders and it was a load of fun riding with them. Anyway since we mostly rode I didn't get many pictures. These two guys like to stay moving which is nice! Thanks to the both of them for including me on their ride.

stork

Friday, December 08, 2006

More Photos Punk Bike











Night Ride, maybe?

Here it is thursday evening December 7th and a nice cold front has been moving into the western pa area. The temps have been going down all day and a nice snow fall has started. Winds started blowing and at times its impossible to see 10' in front of you. Never the less I'm in the Escape heading to North Park Ice Rink to meet Chris and Mike who work for a company that I contract with. Mike Tells me that the temp is around 20/21 degrees as we suit up in the lot. The three of us are laughing about how cold it was the last time I had ridden with them. As Mike fiddled with his shoes and gear I unloaded the Single speed Rig from the holding chambers of the Escape. Its always nice to pull out a warm clean bike at the start. Since I had been ready before the others I tooled around the lot warming up suddenly there was nothing. Nothing? yes nothing... no forward motion at all. A complete free spinning of the cranks without any energy being supplied to the rear tire. What the what, is going on? And then like a Vonage phone box it hit me! Bam Kings Hubs+ cold weather= no worky! Stupid stupid me knew this but in my haste to leave the house earlier I never thought to change out the rear wheel. In past winters I always put a different rear wheel on for this reason alone. Several tries to warm it up with the heater in the Escape worked but only got me to the edge of the woods before freespinning again. Finally I told the others that I was officially disqualified from the ride. With my head hung low in embarressment i pushed my bike back to the car. Feeling like an idiot I didn't even undress from my bike gear. A short drive back home, i unloaded and proceeded to the basement workshop where I began filtering thru my stock of parts for the other rim, tire, skewer, and brake rotor. I took the time to set everything up but never put it on the bike but layed it there beside the Rig and just to let it know it didn't get the best of me I saddled up the Portland, turned on all the blicky lights and out the basement door I went! By now it was around 17 degrees and a road ride on the commuter bike was going to be cold. So I kept it short for a nice frigid 8 miles.
stork

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Punk Bike Enduro 2006



Sunday December 3, 2006- I meet TJ Platt at Dennys in New Ken, for some hot coffee and a hearty breakfast. We sat and talked about his new job at Trek of Pittsburghs Cranberry store and came up with a game plan for the Dirt Rag Punk Bike Enduro. We both had the same idea, have a good time and socialize! Sporting our new lounging attire (made by yours truly) we headed off to the Dorseyville Fire Hall for the start of the 2006 Punk Bike.

There where the many many "costumes" to be seen there as usual. Such as...

Evan Perone as Santas Elf.

Topher, whos another extremely fast singlespeed racer I have to battle with in the mid-atlantic super series, was there in some real retro gear like his tights that looked like jeans.

How about this Guy, any guesses? Yes Its me on the left but you may not realize who the other guy is. Oh you'll know who he is once I give you his name, still not sure? Ok his Name has been all over the bikes Lance Armstrong used in the Tours and its probably on your bike if its a Trek or Gary Fisher. Now you got it Keith Bontrager himself! He showed up at the Trek of Pittsburgh Store to borrow a Demo Bike so he could participate. How cool is that

Anyway a good time was had by all, I'm sure, as the support van cruised with from stage to stage handing out points for the top finishers. The ToP van was following the Dirt Rag truck to each stop carrying some spare parts, tubes, tools and a tire pump. Thanks ToP. Unfortunaly TJ and I cut out a little early but we both enjoyed the day just as these people did.


stork