Tuesday, April 27, 2010
My little Bicyclist. Natalie at 11 months.
Natalie at 11 months she walks, kicks a ball around, climbs her crib, straddles her tricycle, and is so much fun!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Off Topic: The Raging Bull
This is a picture Meme gave me the other day. Its about 5' X 5'. I call it The Raging Bull.
Memegyver and the Penny that saved the day
That when Meme truely earned his new monicker, "Memgiver". Would you believe he took that shiny penny and after heating it by concentrating the sun through his glasses, bent it so that it could be used as a spoke tool. GENIOUS.
Nice notch!
Nice notch!
Pinarello Prince - Gone to the dogs?
I recently came into a 2001 Pinarello Prince. I decided to re-paint it and upon prepping noticed a crack in the derailleur side of the rear drop outs.
My heart sank as this is a truly nice bike. Now for a trip to the LBS to see if it repairable.
My heart sank as this is a truly nice bike. Now for a trip to the LBS to see if it repairable.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Kevin and Memegyver
(Kevin Donhoff wrote)
Another early start and, this time, uneventful ride to Newport. Breakfast at Cronick Taco, while we waited for Jason and Michael to return from their extended ride to Balboa Island (show offs).
After waiting a half-hour, we learned that the guys were delayed as Jason stopped to help a gentleman with a broken chain. (despite what his coworkers say, I have always found Jason to be a great help. In fact, he just put a new crankset on my mtn bike. Thanks Jason).
Well after passing the store once, they finally joined us at Chicago Bike, met Tony, and agonized over not leaving with some vintage parts. I am sure there will be another ride to Newport soon.
The greyhounds left, as Meme and I stretched and filled our water bottles. Meme looked down and found a shiny penny and said, "look this will bring us good luck". Not being a strong believer in fate myself, I snarled and said "you just jinxed us".
So off we go, averaging 16mph, no stops until the Honda Center. All things pointing to another great ride. And that's when it happened. "Kevin, STOP", yells Meme, as I feel a serious wobble. Stopping only to find a serious untrue rear wheel, due to some loose spokes.
That when Meme truely earned his new monicker, "Memgiver". Would you believe he took that shiny penny and after heating it by concentrating the sun through his glasses, bent it so that it could be used as a spoke tool. GENIOUS.
Good enough, we made it back to the park. (don't tell Memgiver that I just dropped it off at the bike shop for some professional TLC).
My riding keeps improving. Thanks to Michael, Jason, the SART, Memgiver, and that infamous shinny penny for another great ride.
Yorba Linda to Balboa Island to Chicago Bikes
Once again we decided to ride to the Beach! This time we added a few miles to Balboa Island with a round trip at about 53 "ish" miles.
On SART, the first five to six miles were spent warming up, getting our morning legs loose and warm before we kicked it into high gear. Meme was chopping at the bit and made a few choice comments about picking up the pace. Slowly we went from 10 to 15 mph and by the time we reached the Honda Center we were cruising at about 20 mph.
About 2/3 of the way to Newport we passed some Hipsters sporting Fixies. These guys were headed to the beach from Fountain Valley.
The ride to Newport went fairly quick. Michael and I decided to ride to Balboa Island. While in Balboa Island we came up to Pain Du Monde, "Bread of the Worlds" (And really GREAT Cinnamon Rolls). Much to Michael's dismay they have closed their doors for good.
Next to them Pain Du Monde was this coffee house and by the looks, they picked up were Pain Du Monde left off. We didn't order up any lattes or deserts but simply stretched and headed back to Newport to meet up with Meme and Kevin at Chicago Bikes.
On the way back we sped past a rider standing on the sidewalk and by the looks of it he wasn't there for the scenery or to take a breather. As we past him, I could see a long skinny steel tail trailing from his rear wheel, a busted chain! We kept on riding and I my mind went wild with inner communication, "That sucks, I have all the tools to help him and yet I kept on riding past. I should stop and turn around. Wouldn't I want someone to lend a helping hand if I was stuck. I wonder where he's riding from?" I yelled to Michael and said, "I can't do it, I need to turn around and help our fellow rider." I met up with the downed rider and offered my help. I was right, his chain was busted. We mended his chain and headed to Chicago Bikes.
Chicago Bikes is an emporium of all things both old and bike related. From vintage bikes, tools, tubes, chain rings and cogs. Tony, the owner has been servicing Newport for many years. A signed Guerciotti by Eddy Merckx sits on one of the display cases (Tony was very quick to note that Eddy is a person family friend).
The sign on the door says, "Customers Beware - Safety Checks Happen Without Notice!," Tony is both and eccentric mad scientist and artist.
All things bicycles! Chicago Bikes is a hole in the wall filled with everything you can think of! I loved the Wall of Chain Rings.
Tony is a Mad Scientist, he mad a bike that spins the wheel forward whether you pedal forwards to backwards (Not to mention the bike is hinged!).
Tony has spent so much time with bikes, its common law now.
Rear Suspension and many options to fill your tires
360 Degrees of Chicago Bikes
On SART, the first five to six miles were spent warming up, getting our morning legs loose and warm before we kicked it into high gear. Meme was chopping at the bit and made a few choice comments about picking up the pace. Slowly we went from 10 to 15 mph and by the time we reached the Honda Center we were cruising at about 20 mph.
About 2/3 of the way to Newport we passed some Hipsters sporting Fixies. These guys were headed to the beach from Fountain Valley.
The ride to Newport went fairly quick. Michael and I decided to ride to Balboa Island. While in Balboa Island we came up to Pain Du Monde, "Bread of the Worlds" (And really GREAT Cinnamon Rolls). Much to Michael's dismay they have closed their doors for good.
Next to them Pain Du Monde was this coffee house and by the looks, they picked up were Pain Du Monde left off. We didn't order up any lattes or deserts but simply stretched and headed back to Newport to meet up with Meme and Kevin at Chicago Bikes.
On the way back we sped past a rider standing on the sidewalk and by the looks of it he wasn't there for the scenery or to take a breather. As we past him, I could see a long skinny steel tail trailing from his rear wheel, a busted chain! We kept on riding and I my mind went wild with inner communication, "That sucks, I have all the tools to help him and yet I kept on riding past. I should stop and turn around. Wouldn't I want someone to lend a helping hand if I was stuck. I wonder where he's riding from?" I yelled to Michael and said, "I can't do it, I need to turn around and help our fellow rider." I met up with the downed rider and offered my help. I was right, his chain was busted. We mended his chain and headed to Chicago Bikes.
Chicago Bikes is an emporium of all things both old and bike related. From vintage bikes, tools, tubes, chain rings and cogs. Tony, the owner has been servicing Newport for many years. A signed Guerciotti by Eddy Merckx sits on one of the display cases (Tony was very quick to note that Eddy is a person family friend).
The sign on the door says, "Customers Beware - Safety Checks Happen Without Notice!," Tony is both and eccentric mad scientist and artist.
All things bicycles! Chicago Bikes is a hole in the wall filled with everything you can think of! I loved the Wall of Chain Rings.
Tony is a Mad Scientist, he mad a bike that spins the wheel forward whether you pedal forwards to backwards (Not to mention the bike is hinged!).
Tony has spent so much time with bikes, its common law now.
Rear Suspension and many options to fill your tires
360 Degrees of Chicago Bikes
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
BicycleFriends ride to Newport Beach (Through Kevin's glasses)
(Kevin Donhoff Wrote)
It started like any other BicycleFriends ride:
Jason texts - "How about a easy ride down the Santa Ana River trail"
Now, I have learned a statement like that leaves much room for interpretation, so I ask "How far?" and "Who is going?", two critically important questions for a rider of my caliber (my classification is something like the pachyderm division, plus I am still getting back into riding condition after 8 months of due to a injury).
Jason texts - "Mike, Meme and maybe one other & it's an easy ride-like maybe 17 mile to beach then back"
Again such a statement leaves room for interpretation, but since Meme is closer to my caliber than Michael or Jason, I was comfortable, plus I have learned to always add at least three miles to Jason's estimates.
We started in Yorba Linda and things were going well until about mile 18, when I encountered a problem with what I thought was my cleat. A mile later we discovered that the treads had stripped from my crankarm, as my pedal fell out. Meme, doing his best Macgiver imitation, tried to fix it with a candy wrapper, sap from nearby bush, and a feather he found on the trail fused with sunlight concentrated through his glasses. WHAT A GENIUS! Well that lasted about two pedals before it fell out and the BicycleFriends crew took turns pushing me the last 1&1/2 miles to the beach (Photo attached). After a pit stop and some snacks, Michael and Jason headed back to the cars, while Meme and I were determined to make the best of being stranded in Newport Beach, not such a bad situation after all.
While waiting for the nearest bike repair to open, I did a google search and found Chicago Bike, and made a call that went something like this.
Man on phone: "Chicago Bike, bring it on down"
I was not sure whether I reached a machine, so I asked "are you open?"
Man on phone: "Yes, bring it on down"
Still not sure, I explained that my Shimano crackarm was stripped and my pedal fell out.
Man on the Phone: "Bring it on down" he then explained I was 3/4 of a mile away.
I told Meme I was not sure how this was going to go down, but figure it was worth a try. Well, low and behold, we found the small un-assuming Chicago Bike store with a sign that offered free air-24/7 and a gentleman out front helping folks with their bike woes. Soon he pointed to me and asked if he could help me. It was then when I met Tony Parry. I must have done something to please the Karma Gods, because not only did he fix my crank with a threaded insert, but he proceeded to provide Meme and I an education about bike mechanics. He emphasized the proper bike adjustments to make riding a city bike or beach cruiser effortless. We even tried on of his 29ers (just might have to buy one). His mantra "if you are comfortable, you will ride a lot more".
Time spent with Tony: Priceless (but he only charged me $25).
MANY THANKS TO TONY.
I plan to get Jason down to examine Tony's vintage bike parts.
If you need work on a beach cruiser, city bike, or any other for that matter, I would recommend checking it out with Tony. I think he will be honest and not pressure you. Plan to spend some time and get an education. He is on PCH behind JackInTheBox.
Chicago Bike
Chicagobike.net
(949)650-4203
After the prolonged rest period Meme and I watered up and hit the SART. The last 5 miles or so were tough, but I made it. Happy to have overcome a mechanical problem and finish my longest ride yet, 43 miles, a little bit more than Jason promised.
Thanks to Meme, Michael, Jason, Tony and the SART for a great day.
It started like any other BicycleFriends ride:
Jason texts - "How about a easy ride down the Santa Ana River trail"
Now, I have learned a statement like that leaves much room for interpretation, so I ask "How far?" and "Who is going?", two critically important questions for a rider of my caliber (my classification is something like the pachyderm division, plus I am still getting back into riding condition after 8 months of due to a injury).
Jason texts - "Mike, Meme and maybe one other & it's an easy ride-like maybe 17 mile to beach then back"
Again such a statement leaves room for interpretation, but since Meme is closer to my caliber than Michael or Jason, I was comfortable, plus I have learned to always add at least three miles to Jason's estimates.
We started in Yorba Linda and things were going well until about mile 18, when I encountered a problem with what I thought was my cleat. A mile later we discovered that the treads had stripped from my crankarm, as my pedal fell out. Meme, doing his best Macgiver imitation, tried to fix it with a candy wrapper, sap from nearby bush, and a feather he found on the trail fused with sunlight concentrated through his glasses. WHAT A GENIUS! Well that lasted about two pedals before it fell out and the BicycleFriends crew took turns pushing me the last 1&1/2 miles to the beach (Photo attached). After a pit stop and some snacks, Michael and Jason headed back to the cars, while Meme and I were determined to make the best of being stranded in Newport Beach, not such a bad situation after all.
While waiting for the nearest bike repair to open, I did a google search and found Chicago Bike, and made a call that went something like this.
Man on phone: "Chicago Bike, bring it on down"
I was not sure whether I reached a machine, so I asked "are you open?"
Man on phone: "Yes, bring it on down"
Still not sure, I explained that my Shimano crackarm was stripped and my pedal fell out.
Man on the Phone: "Bring it on down" he then explained I was 3/4 of a mile away.
I told Meme I was not sure how this was going to go down, but figure it was worth a try. Well, low and behold, we found the small un-assuming Chicago Bike store with a sign that offered free air-24/7 and a gentleman out front helping folks with their bike woes. Soon he pointed to me and asked if he could help me. It was then when I met Tony Parry. I must have done something to please the Karma Gods, because not only did he fix my crank with a threaded insert, but he proceeded to provide Meme and I an education about bike mechanics. He emphasized the proper bike adjustments to make riding a city bike or beach cruiser effortless. We even tried on of his 29ers (just might have to buy one). His mantra "if you are comfortable, you will ride a lot more".
Time spent with Tony: Priceless (but he only charged me $25).
MANY THANKS TO TONY.
I plan to get Jason down to examine Tony's vintage bike parts.
If you need work on a beach cruiser, city bike, or any other for that matter, I would recommend checking it out with Tony. I think he will be honest and not pressure you. Plan to spend some time and get an education. He is on PCH behind JackInTheBox.
Chicago Bike
Chicagobike.net
(949)650-4203
After the prolonged rest period Meme and I watered up and hit the SART. The last 5 miles or so were tough, but I made it. Happy to have overcome a mechanical problem and finish my longest ride yet, 43 miles, a little bit more than Jason promised.
Thanks to Meme, Michael, Jason, Tony and the SART for a great day.
SART to Newport Beach!
Up at 5:00 am, and out of the house by 6:30 am, I headed to Meme's house loaded him and his bike up then off to Mike's house. At Mike's house we met Kevin, loaded more bikes and headed to Yorba Linda for our 40 mile beach ride!
We hit the road by 8:00 am "ish", got on SART and headed to Newport Beach. It was a fast ride with and average speed around 20 - 24 mph. Meme and Kevin did great but about 3/4th of a mile from Newport Kevin's right pedal striped out of this crank. Doh!
We pushed him to the main road and discussed our options. Mike and I headed back, Meme and Kevin decided to eat crab and drink margaritas then call Kevin's wife for a pick up.
On the way back we cruised at about 20 - 23 mph. I started dropping off the pace when an old man breezed past me. He caught Mike and I could see they engaged in communication. Because the man was old and they seemed to be talking about something interesting, I sped up and joined their group. Turns out the man was 76 years old and in GREAT shape!
Once back to the cars, I rec'd a text, "We fixed pedal, we are going to ride back." Sweet, Meme and Kevin got the pedal fixed and decided to ride back to the cars.
Kevin and Meme cruised back at an average speed of 15 mph, with peaks reaching 20 mph. The ride was great and we'll definitely have to do it again!
I'm back at home and 5 cups of coffee later, I feel REALLY good!
Beach Picture - We Made It!
Kevin and his pedal
76 Year Old Man on SART!
Go Bicycle Friends!
We hit the road by 8:00 am "ish", got on SART and headed to Newport Beach. It was a fast ride with and average speed around 20 - 24 mph. Meme and Kevin did great but about 3/4th of a mile from Newport Kevin's right pedal striped out of this crank. Doh!
We pushed him to the main road and discussed our options. Mike and I headed back, Meme and Kevin decided to eat crab and drink margaritas then call Kevin's wife for a pick up.
On the way back we cruised at about 20 - 23 mph. I started dropping off the pace when an old man breezed past me. He caught Mike and I could see they engaged in communication. Because the man was old and they seemed to be talking about something interesting, I sped up and joined their group. Turns out the man was 76 years old and in GREAT shape!
Once back to the cars, I rec'd a text, "We fixed pedal, we are going to ride back." Sweet, Meme and Kevin got the pedal fixed and decided to ride back to the cars.
Kevin and Meme cruised back at an average speed of 15 mph, with peaks reaching 20 mph. The ride was great and we'll definitely have to do it again!
I'm back at home and 5 cups of coffee later, I feel REALLY good!
Beach Picture - We Made It!
Kevin and his pedal
76 Year Old Man on SART!
Go Bicycle Friends!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Jason's (Jamie's) First Round Engery Bars
Oat bran, flax seed meal, walnuts, raisins, chocolate chips, butter, corn syrup, maple syrup, and brown sugar. These are very good.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Mud Run in Irvine!
Saturday, I ran a mud run with three other guys. Had a blast and plan to do it again.
The course was a 3.8 mile run with 3.5 foot barriers, multiple ramps to run up and down, steep hills, hay bales to climb, suds of soap and lots of mud!
The course was a 3.8 mile run with 3.5 foot barriers, multiple ramps to run up and down, steep hills, hay bales to climb, suds of soap and lots of mud!
San Diego Custom Bicycle Show
Lots of pictures!
I had a great time at SDCBS 2010.
Meme, Mike and I went to San Diego this Friday for the SD Custom Bicycle Show 2010. We saw many great steel, titanium, carbon fiber and aluminum custom bicycles. Below is Meme with Paul Sadoff, of Rock Lobster. He was very easy to talk to, charismatic and offered Meme some tips on bike building. His bikes featured ornate lug work Paul crafted himself.
Geoffry Townsend (I think his name is Geoffry?) was an exhibitor. I met Mr. Townsend on GMR a few months back with Annette. I remember commenting on his beautifully lugged bike. Townsend was a nice guy. We talked awhile at the show and promised to ride together again and Meme would like to visit his shop someday. Townsend is a local guy in Sierra Madre.
Soulcraft was my first intro into the custom bicycle world. They have a great website with pictures of their custom steeds.
Hey, this pint sized Kish would be perfect for my son! Titanium?
Keith Anderson, build this sweet ride. His inpsiration for this piece was his three sons and a love for old sports cars. The fenders had sea shell inclays and featured a carbon noise maker just under the chanstays to make this ride have a motorized sound.
Ruemgamer Sports had a few custom Carbon/Titanium bikes on sale or a great price.
Serrota carbon?
I had a great time at SDCBS 2010.
Meme, Mike and I went to San Diego this Friday for the SD Custom Bicycle Show 2010. We saw many great steel, titanium, carbon fiber and aluminum custom bicycles. Below is Meme with Paul Sadoff, of Rock Lobster. He was very easy to talk to, charismatic and offered Meme some tips on bike building. His bikes featured ornate lug work Paul crafted himself.
Geoffry Townsend (I think his name is Geoffry?) was an exhibitor. I met Mr. Townsend on GMR a few months back with Annette. I remember commenting on his beautifully lugged bike. Townsend was a nice guy. We talked awhile at the show and promised to ride together again and Meme would like to visit his shop someday. Townsend is a local guy in Sierra Madre. 
Soulcraft was my first intro into the custom bicycle world. They have a great website with pictures of their custom steeds.
Hey, this pint sized Kish would be perfect for my son! Titanium?
Keith Anderson, build this sweet ride. His inpsiration for this piece was his three sons and a love for old sports cars. The fenders had sea shell inclays and featured a carbon noise maker just under the chanstays to make this ride have a motorized sound.
Ruemgamer Sports had a few custom Carbon/Titanium bikes on sale or a great price. 
Serrota carbon? 
