I got a new bike!

[G. Hoffman]

It's based around a Surly Long-Haul Trucker (http://www.surlybikes.com/longhaul.html) frame, with a Shimano Deore LX drive train and Cane Creek brakes. It still needs some adjustments, but it's a rocking bike. We've even had some truly wonderful unseasonably warm days this week (maybe global warming isn't so bad after all...:icon_eek: ), so I've been able to ride it a bit. It will probably be a while before I'm able to ride it as much as I would like off the trainer, but I can get a few rides in before spring, I hope.


I'm a bit excited!


Oh, and the white wall tire look is just from the flash.



Gabriel

[MudCat]

Mighty cool bike, Gabriel.......envy has consumed my soul.

[G. Hoffman]

Mighty cool bike, Gabriel.......envy has consumed my soul.


Well, I spent too much money on it, but it's pretty damn cool.


Gabriel

[blackieC]

You can never spend "too much money" on a good bike, much in the same way as you can never spend "too much money'' on a good guitar.

Both are physical extensions of the goofball that is holding the reigns, or handlebars as the case may be.

I can think of few times more happy than when I was a hundred or so pounds lighter and used my Hard Rock as daily transport.



Love/Hate relationship with the Camry.



When my only car was the '68 Caddy I used my bike on many trips to Autozone for parts, but my inherent laziness after buying the Toyota kicked in and I am sad to say that the Caddy is now languishing in disrepair in my carport.


I am so ashamed.

:Redface:

[Tim Halligan]

Well, I spent too much money on it, but it's pretty damn cool.


Gabriel


I can believe that.

I've just bought a cheap-ass mountain bike to get myself into something that resembles "in shape"...or at least into a different shape than my current one...
:Roll eyes:

After quitting smoking (notice the halo... :lol: ) I have, how do I put this, got fat.

...ish.


Well, my abdominal profile now resembles my father's.

So I went to the local bike shop to find a bike.


Holy-fucking-crap!

$7500 for a racing bike?

$5500 for a mountain bike?


WTF?

My new $189 pushy is just fine.



Cool bike Gabriel.



Cheers,
Tim

[G. Hoffman]

Well, my abdominal profile now resembles my father's.




That I can understand well. Mine always has, and the kind of depressing thing (but not actually, `cause it's cool) is that now that I'm loosing weight, so is my dad, so my abdominal profile STILL looks like my dads!




$7500 for a racing bike?

$5500 for a mountain bike?





Yeah, but that's Australian money, so that's only like what, three bucks in real dollars.

:Twisted: :Twisted: :Twisted:



Gabriel

[Grapestomper]

Nice ride, Gabe!

You're a roadie, eh? Back when I rode a lot, it was mountain bikes. I can still relate, though, to the joy of a sweet new bike!


These days, my "little" brother is the bike-guy. He's a full-on, quasi-suicidal downhill and free-style rider. He does tricks that I can't even understand the physics behind!

I've known that crazy bastard to spend over $1,000 just on a front fork!

Personally, I have to limit myself to one expensive hobby at a time.


"I've got a bike, you can ride it if you like..."
Mike

[62Jazzbass]

Congrats on the new ride Gabe, I like it. Surly makes some cool stuff, wouldn't mind grabbing one of their fixies!

Good to see some other riders here. This is my main ride (and me, #226), a custom job I had made before I left the bike biz a number of years ago. I got a bunch of others not nearly as flashy. Riding keeps me healthy and somewhat sane.

[G. Hoffman]

Nice ride, Gabe!

You're a roadie, eh? Back when I rode a lot, it was mountain bikes. I can still relate, though, to the joy of a sweet new bike!


Well, not exactly a roadie. Certainly, this is no racing bike, for instance. I'm more interested in bike trips. We (dad and I) are going out to California for the Heldsberg Guitar Festival this sumer, and we (my bike and I) are going to go out a bit early and stay a bit late riding around Napa and Sonoma valleys. This thing is build to carry weight. But yeah, I'm loving it so far.



Congrats on the new ride Gabe, I like it. Surly makes some cool stuff, wouldn't mind grabbing one of their fixies!

Good to see some other riders here. This is my main ride (and me, #226), a custom job I had made before I left the bike biz a number of years ago. I got a bunch of others not nearly as flashy. Riding keeps me healthy and somewhat sane.

Nice paint! That was my one problem with the Surly stuff - I'm not wild about the colors, but this one is not as red as I was lead to believe, and looks really good. If I could afford it, though, I'd be on a Co-Motion with a three color fade (black to magenta to red).


Then again, I do have a spray booth, and I know how to use a spray gun....



Gabriel

[Grapestomper]

I'm more interested in bike trips. We (dad and I) are going out to California for the Heldsberg Guitar Festival this sumer, and we (my bike and I) are going to go out a bit early and stay a bit late riding around Napa and Sonoma valleys.

Gabriel

Nor-Cal Meet Up!

Seriously, when is that, and is it a luthier trade-show kind of thing, or would it have something for the general, guitar-playing public?

Might be fun, and Healdsburg is nearby to some of my favorite roads.

Speaking of roads, I know Napa and Sonoma quite well. If you want some tips on good choices, PM me.

Mike

[G. Hoffman]

Nor-Cal Meet Up!

Seriously, when is that, and is it a luthier trade-show kind of thing, or would it have something for the general, guitar-playing public?

Might be fun, and Healdsburg is nearby to some of my favorite roads.

Speaking of roads, I know Napa and Sonoma quite well. If you want some tips on good choices, PM me.

Mike


Healdsburg is put on by one of the major suppliers of wood and tools for guitar builders (Luthiers Mercantile (www.lmii.com)). It's actually in Santa Rosa, now that it has outgrown the hall in Healdsburg is August 19-21, and it is a show for small shop guitar builders to show their guitars to the public, and for people to come and do some comparison shopping among the builders there. Last time there were 135 builders (too many), but they say that it will be either smaller or better organized so that the public can actually reach their back pockets to get to their checkbooks out. It is one of the two big festivals for builders to show off their stuff to the public.

And I'll absolutely send you a PM, cause I'm really looking forward to this trip. I'm looking for good places to camp, too, if you know any.


Gabriel

[bbkong]

Looks nice, Gabe.

What kind of motor are you gonna put in it?

[G. Hoffman]

Looks nice, Gabe.

What kind of motor are you gonna put in it?



I've got two quasi-linier biological engines. They work in tandem for superior power. They may not have th horsepower of a V-Twin, but they get great mileage!



Gabriel

[Mixerpuppet]

I've got two quasi-linier biological engines. They work in tandem for superior power. They may not have th horsepower of a V-Twin, but they get great mileage!



Gabriel



How many burritos(powerbars) per hour? :)


I asked for a video called "Roam" for the impending christmas season gifting thing...

Hopefully it will get me out again since my shapeshifting experiment gone bad...


Congrats are your new bike.... :Thumbsup:

[G. Hoffman]

How many burritos(powerbars) per hour? :)


I asked for a video called "Roam" for the impending christmas season gifting thing...

Hopefully it will get me out again since my shapeshifting experiment gone bad...


Congrats are your new bike.... :Thumbsup:



GAHHGGHGHGHGHGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Sorry, I'll try to clean that up, but power bars suck!


However, Buritos are fine, as long as they're good ones.


I figure about 30-35 miles to the burito, or 25-30 to the hamburger.

:D


Gabriel

[Anduin]

Nice ride!

But how come your road bike's got mountain bike components (the LX stuff)?

[G. Hoffman]

Nice ride!

But how come your road bike's got mountain bike components (the LX stuff)?



Because it's a touring bike. Imigine this - your riding around with , say, 75 pounds of stuff in panniers. You come to a 12,000 foot mountain pass you need to get over to get to your next destination. Would you rather have a 30T granny gear chain ring, or a 26T granny gear chain ring? The low gears in the Deore stuff are lower than in the Dura-Ace stuff, and since this bike is made to carry weight...

This isn't a speed bike, it is a long, stable, comfortable bike. The chain stays are really long, and the wheel base is just huge. It turns like a 2 ton pig, but it sure is comfortable to ride.


Gabriel

[maccool]

Would you rather have a 30T granny gear chain ring, or a 26T granny gear chain ring?

I like the 22T granny gear chain ring on mine just fine! Just about anything I could push the bike up, I can ride it up! Steeper than that, I carry it; 'bout 11kg soaking wet.

[G. Hoffman]

I like the 22T granny gear chain ring on mine just fine! Just about anything I could push the bike up, I can ride it up! Steeper than that, I carry it; 'bout 11kg soaking wet.


Yeah, well, um.....OK, that's pretty cool. Then again, by the time I get all the shit on my bike (racks, panniers, camping equipment, etc.), I'd have a hard time lifting my bike. What drive train are you running, anyway?


Gabriel

[Mixerpuppet]

GAHHGGHGHGHGHGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Sorry, I'll try to clean that up, but power bars suck!


However, Buritos are fine, as long as they're good ones.


I figure about 30-35 miles to the burito, or 25-30 to the hamburger.

:D


Gabriel


Heh heh...

Power Bars are like what ...

Sawdust and glue that won't cure...

if their cold you could use them for some kinda a adhesive...

Cliff bars are tolerable...

However... eating a Wendy's Hot and Spicy Chicken burger and a quart of Coke is not recommended as a pre-ride lunch/snack.

I have a 95 F3000 Mountain 2.8 Frame (Cannondale)
I have Raceface Standard 46, 36 and 20 upfront and 90's version XTR 8 speed cluster in the back... 11-32....

It was made for Mtb racing... goes straight up hill and like a rocket on the flats...

I always went for the widest gear spread I could get even on cross country bikes... I have a 1975 C-Itoh in the shed from CC touring in my teens

I have XT D'rail'ers and hubs.... the LX/DX stuff broke pretty often... but then again competitive racing (local) was tough on the bike.

One thing I remember is making sure to upgrade the cables to teflon and make sure the cables for shifting and breaking are not on the downtube where water/snow/ice can build up on those cold winter rides.


Shoes? Clipless?

The bike is only 1/5 of the costs :)

[G. Hoffman]

Heh heh...

Power Bars are like what ...

Sawdust and glue that won't cure...

if their cold you could use them for some kinda a adhesive...

Cliff bars are tolerable...



GAHHGHGHGHGGGGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




However... eating a Wendy's Hot and Spicy Chicken burger and a quart of Coke is not recommended as a pre-ride lunch/snack.



Well, no, but I do OK with some fruit and water.



I have a 95 F3000 Mountain 2.8 Frame (Cannondale)
I have Raceface Standard 46, 36 and 20 upfront and 90's version XTR 8 speed cluster in the back... 11-32....

It was made for Mtb racing... goes straight up hill and like a rocket on the flats...


I'd have gone with the XTR stuff, but it's more than a bit pricy for me right now. If I ever get it together to go on my round the world trip, you can bet that I'll be going with mostly XTR stuff.


Shoes? Clipless?

The bike is only 1/5 of the costs :)



Ain't it the truth!


And yes, clipless pedals. a reversable SPD pedal which has a binding on one side, and a flat pedal on the other so I can ride in regular shoes when I feel like it.




I rode to and from work today (14 degrees Faerenheit). That's fucking COLD!!!!!!! But the bike was great!


Gabriel

[blackieC]

I rode to and from work today (14 degrees Faerenheit). That's fucking COLD!!!!!!! But the bike was great!


Gabriel


I mean this in the kindest way my brother, but you're fucking insane.

In my younger years when I didn't know that there were alternatives, I spent winters in the plains of Montana and in Anchorage Alakska.

The cold sucks.


No two ways about it.

(or for the Cakuckistanianians, "aboot it")

Right now the local TV weather is registering a temperature of 33 fucking fahrenheit which is way too fucking cold for Austin fucking Texas.

[G. Hoffman]

I mean this in the kindest way my brother, but you're fucking insane.

In my younger years when I didn't know that there were alternatives, I spent winters in the plains of Montana and in Anchorage Alakska.

The cold sucks.


No two ways about it.

(or for the Cakuckistanianians, "aboot it")

Right now the local TV weather is registering a temperature of 33 fucking fahrenheit which is way too fucking cold for Austin fucking Texas.



Well, you know, I'm flirting with this punk girl at the coffee shop next door to the shop who rides year `round. Gotta impress the girl, you know?

Sad thing is, she is probably a lesbian, knowing who they usually have working in that coffee shop.



Gabriel

[blackieC]

I rode to and from work today (14 degrees Faerenheit). That's fucking COLD!!!!!!! But the bike was great!


Gabriel


I mean this in the kindest way my brother, but you're fucking insane.

In my younger years when I didn't know that there were alternatives, I spent winters in the plains of Montana and in Anchorage Alakska.

The cold sucks.


No two ways about it.

(or for the Cakuckistanianians, "aboot it")

Right now the local TV weather is registering a temperature of 33 fucking fahrenheit which is way too fucking cold for Austin fucking Texas.

[G. Hoffman]

I mean this in the kindest way my brother, but you're fucking insane.

In my younger years when I didn't know that there were alternatives, I spent winters in the plains of Montana and in Anchorage Alakska.

The cold sucks.


No two ways about it.

(or for the Cakuckistanianians, "aboot it")

Right now the local TV weather is registering a temperature of 33 fucking fahrenheit which is way too fucking cold for Austin fucking Texas.




Dude, man, is there an echo in here?



Gabriel

[Mixerpuppet]

When it gets cold the keyboard chatters a lil bit...






Actually I think Blackie's got the tape loop going...

[FajitaTone]

It's plenty warm down here... and no bugs.

Hey what's snow anyway?

:D

[Mixerpuppet]

Hey what's snow anyway?

:D

It's that thing that happens to post guys who forget to route the video monitors right...


Next thing you know ya got poltergeists sucking your children into the closet and wierd old ladies hanging out with maggot infested chick bits...

NTTWWT

And now for something completely different...

Too many burritos causes the backend to sag....

[G. Hoffman]

Too many burritos causes the backend to sag....




http://womb.mixerman.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=473&d=1164995382




Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





Gabriel

[emtou2u]

Nice bike G-
Here I am started a bike tour trip from Canada (practically) to Mexico...it was amazin'!

[emtou2u]

somewhere along the coast of california...we took the coast of oregon then cut inland through sonoma onto napa (gettin' drunk the whole way)...actually free camped the entire trip...got stuck in san francisco for a place to free camp so we camped in a little clump o' trees just north of the golden gate bridge and got kicked out by the military police...rough!

[emtou2u]

ok...oops...now here i am startin' the bike trip (and figuring out how to put pics in these silly posts i'm tryin' to share)...

sorry!

[emtou2u]

ok...no laughin' at the stupid glasses...mine got broken and someone gave these to me!!!

2nd best day of the 26 day bike trip? The day we started!!!!!

BEST DAY?? The day it finished!!!! This pic is the day we finished in southern cal...i jumped in the lake and wanted to throw the bike in there too! 50-70 miles a day (on a mountain bike) with 60 lb. panniers...it was amazin'....

G - i'm SO jealous of your new bike....but thanks for taking me BITD.

[Grapestomper]

...we took the coast of oregon then cut inland through sonoma onto napa (gettin' drunk the whole way)...

One of the greatest, most spectacular strips of pavement on the entire planet is Matole Rd. It goes out to the tip of Point Mendocino, and also through the little (dope) town of Petrolia.

Pass through there, by chance?

..got stuck in san francisco for a place to free camp so we camped in a little clump o' trees just north of the golden gate bridge and got kicked out by the military police...rough!

Oh yeah.

Those guys are used to "campers"...

Shoulda headed south, and up Skyline a ways.















Gabe: I havn't forgoten you... I'll PM you soon with some thoughts on roads in the Napa Sonoma area.

M

[G. Hoffman]

ok...no laughin' at the stupid glasses...mine got broken and someone gave these to me!!!

2nd best day of the 26 day bike trip? The day we started!!!!!

BEST DAY?? The day it finished!!!! This pic is the day we finished in southern cal...i jumped in the lake and wanted to throw the bike in there too! 50-70 miles a day (on a mountain bike) with 60 lb. panniers...it was amazin'....

G - i'm SO jealous of your new bike....but thanks for taking me BITD.


Completely and totally cool, that there. One of these years I want to do a Vancover to San Diego trip. I've actually got family on both ends that way, so I can at least be sure of a shower on both ends of the trip. Running water before and after a plane trip seems a good thing to me. This year is just going to be Napa and Sonoma.

I've been so wanting to ride the new bike that I've actually been riding to work the last couple of days, and damn the 15 degree days! Given that I like to be warm, this is not at all like me. Unfortunatly, it's only about a 5 minute ride to the shop. I think I'm gonna try and do a 30 mile ride tomorrow, if it doesn't snow. (I'm a chicken shit about snow. I don't like to fall over, you know?)


It's OK, Grape. I've got some time before my trip, after all.


Gabriel

[emtou2u]

Gabriel - be sure to let me know when you do the coast to coast thing...it's a blast. it's an old book, but i recommend "Miles From Nowhere" before anyone does a big trip. and hey, you're doin' the right thing by bikin' every day no matter how short the distance. i really think that makin' your bike part of your daily lifestyle is much more important than sporadic longer rides...if you get to long rides try them at least every other day.

bike touring is amazing....did it for my honeymoon too. through austria, germany and up over garmisch to switzerland...it's tough but worth it...i still have the original bike - but i returned the husband. :lol:

[G. Hoffman]

i really think that makin' your bike part of your daily lifestyle is much more important than sporadic longer rides...if you get to long rides try them at least every other day.




Oh, I was doing 20-30 a day before it got so damn cold (up to about a week ago, in fact), and I'm putting in 30-45 minutes on the trainer now that I can't do long rides. But it's just not the same thing, you know? Come spring though, I'll be back out there every day. It has become, over the last six months or so, very much a part of my everyday. I've never really exersized before, so it has been a major lifestyle change, but it is one I wouldn't happily give back. Heck, I've lost about 45 pounds, and I'm still going down. I've decided I definatly like being fit.



it's a blast. it's an old book, but i recommend "Miles From Nowhere" before anyone does a big trip.


Will do. I just ordered it from Amazon.



Gabriel

[Brendo]

Then again, I do have a spray booth, and I know how to use a spray gun....

Gabriel

C'monnnn... you know you want to!:lol:

[G. Hoffman]

C'monnnn... you know you want to!:lol:



I'll probably wait a few years till the thing is all beat to shit, and then do it.


Probably.




Gabriel

[G. Hoffman]

it's an old book, but i recommend "Miles From Nowhere" before anyone does a big trip.



OK, I got it, and I started reading it yesterday. If I hadn't been so busy yesterday and today, I would have finished it by now. Excellent book. Thank you.



Gabriel

[emtou2u]

Gabriel -
so glad you like the book. it's been 17-18 years :icon_eek: since i read it...now i'm givin' my age away again...but it must have made an impact...i don't remember anything for longer than 24 hours...

so i wanted to thank you...i got so excited about your impending trip that i've been on my bike 1-2 hours a night and i'm taking my daughter on her first road trip this summer....we'll bike up the coast from portland, or north than cut east and go up the puget sound and take the ferry from Port Townsend to the islands than onto Anacortes and up through Bellingham and on to Canada. it should be a good, short trip for her first one...so thanks for plantin' the bug in me. it's been far too long...

cheers!

Meg